1. Keywords
1.1. Sport
1.1.1. competitive
1.1.1.1. sacrifice, intensity, contentation for prizes
1.1.2. individual games
1.1.3. non-competitive
1.1.4. team games
1.1.5. physical activity
1.2. Merit
1.2.1. The quality of being worthy
1.3. Vast sums of money
1.3.1. sports facilities
1.3.1.1. stadiums
1.3.1.2. swimming pools
1.3.1.3. tennis courts
1.3.2. transfer fees
1.3.3. sponsorships
1.3.4. trophies, prizes
2. Cons
2.1. Social
2.1.1. Countries may overspend on sports
2.1.1.1. eg. In 2008, China spent about $18 billion on Beijing Olympics while Sichuan had not fully recovered from the earthquake
2.1.2. distort the original motivation to play sports
2.2. New node
3. Pros
3.1. Social
3.1.1. Encourages participation in sports
3.1.1.1. Teaches lessons based on sports
3.1.1.1.1. Teamwork
3.1.1.1.2. Humility
3.1.1.1.3. Discipline
3.1.1.1.4. Courage
3.1.1.1.5. Tenacity
3.1.1.1.6. Passion
3.1.1.1.7. Integrity
3.1.1.1.8. Equality
3.1.1.2. Positive impacts on physical body
3.1.1.2.1. Improves overall fitness
3.1.1.2.2. Decreases stress
3.1.1.3. Builds a common identity
3.1.1.3.1. National
3.1.1.3.2. Club
3.1.1.3.3. Institution
3.1.1.4. Improves education quality
3.1.1.4.1. Research has shown that physically active students learn better
3.2. Economic
3.2.1. Generates income and fame for the nation
3.2.1.1. Through investments, government spending and mass advertising
3.2.1.1.1. Able to make the country more well known and thus improve its reputation on the global stage
3.2.2. Creates Jobs to meet the various needs and requirements of the sporting industry
3.2.2.1. Eg. Referees, Commentators, Officials, Administrative staff
3.3. Political
3.3.1. Describes the use of sports as a means to influence diplomatic, social and political relations
3.3.1.1. Sports diplimacy may transcend cultural differences and foster social cohesiveness
3.3.2. Examples
3.3.2.1. Cricket
3.3.2.1.1. Following the soviet invasion of Afganistan, resulting in flared-up tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan's then-president, General Zia Ul-Haq attended a cricket match during the two disputing states, easing the tension
3.3.2.1.2. In 2004, cricket tours were organized in an attempt to bury half a century of animosity and mutual hostility between India and Pakistan
3.3.2.2. Olympics
3.3.2.2.1. The 1968 Olympics were used as a global stage to show the world the plight of the African-American civil rights movements.