International Sports Issues - Assignment Example

International Sports College: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Question Bidding to host international sports events 3 Question 2: Soliciting Public Support for Multi-event Competition 4 Question 3: America dealing with China with respect to tennis player defection 6 Question 1: Bidding to host international sports events In any setting where several diverse groups exist, there are inherent challenges that are bound to arise especially where communal, organizational or local authority resources are constrained. One of the fears that stakeholders are faced with is the probability that revenue may not exceed expenses when an international sports event is organized leading to further resource constrains. However, hosting such an event has long-term benefits irrespective of the expenses exceeding revenues. Local groups always hold different opinions regarding hosting an international event (HAB, 2010). Some groups are often focused on immediate financial benefit while others may be opposed to such an effort from a political perspective. Other groups suggest that its resources should not be channeled to hosting such events but rather be spent on social programs. In order to address the resistance of such groups, it would be advisable to create a liaison ad-hoc committee to facilitate consultation. This committee will play a vital role in discussions towards elaborating on the benefits of bidding. Receiving a nod from the public in favor of bidding for international events is a major boost towards convincing such groups on the benefits of hosting an international event as opposed to spending on social programs. As part of consultation with groups that do not favor hosting such an event, the public attention drawn from recent good results of sportsmen in the country plays a vital role. The sportsmen should be urged to make public pleas in favor of bidding and hosting such an event. Impassioned pleas by sportsmen often tend to swing the public opinion in favor of the pleas made. Opposed groups will be made aware of the reasons to hold international events locally including that such a move would give a powerful boost to sports development. Funding social programs is a one-way traffic while holding a multi-event function is multi-faceted. Such an event will lead to improved public facilities. The facilities are not restricted to any particular segment of the public. There are is also the advantage of attaining a health society encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle through building a strong sports culture. Such events are fundamental in enhancing social cohesion which may not be realized through social programs (ISCA, 2011). It would also be imperative to explain that bidding to host such an event will lead to completion and development of related sports venues. The city will eventually be a more popular destination where other international sports events will be held. As opposed to social programs, holding such events has additional indirect and direct economic benefits. The city will have better infrastructure and sports facilities for use by the local community (Manzenreifer & Horne, 2005). Hosting the event will present the organizers with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to organize major events. The city authority will have an opportunity to showcase its management capability (GAGOC, 2009). This is vital as the skills gained during such an event will be transferred to other aspects of social programs. In order to check on the costs, some facilities will be upgraded instead of construction of new ones. This has the potential to reduce costs by a few billions. All stakeholders at the local level will discuss these responses. Subsequently, groups opposed to such arrangements will reconsider their stand. Question 2: Soliciting Public Support for Multi-event Competition This section will focus on soliciting public support for holding the Asian Games in Hong Kong, the procedures involved and the groups that will be included. Soliciting public support for a continental multi-event competition requires holding a public opinion survey as the first step. This will help get the overall public opinion to check for expression of reservation among the public. Getting the public nod will be important in influencing the government to place bid for hosting the event (HAB, 2010). These duties will be carried out by the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB). The consultation paper placed to the public will outline the introduction of Asian Games. It will also encompass the potential costs and benefits of hosting the event. Copies of the consultation paper will be placed on the internet for public browsing, in public libraries, and Leisure and Cultural Services Department offices and venues. The Sports Federation (SF) and Olympic Committee (OC) of Hong Kong and China established to manage the event will then brief Legislative Council (LegCo)’s Home Affair panel in seeking approval-in-principle. This will be dependent on implications involved from the financial perspective. The Legco members always support the long-term objective of the government on promotion and development of sport. Stakeholders and the public will be engaged on extensively through ‘E-engagement’ arena including Public Affairs Forums, Asian Games forum, telephone survey and a Facebook page. Analysis will be made on the users responses. The (SF) and (OC) of Hong Kong and China is the authority mandated to make the bid to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) through the HAB. The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council (LegCo) will be responsible for accepting or denying such a bid depending on the financial implications of successful bidding (GAGOC, 2009). The SF and OC will proactively engage, brief and consult the LegCo HA panel, the tourism industry, sports community, young people and schools’ sports federation on whether Hong Kong should host Asian Games. The consultation period will also see diverse consultation forums organized for stakeholders in different industries and fields. These will include security companies, professional bodies, catering sector, tourism sector and construction workers’ unions. In effort to gain public approval for bidding, the public will be offered the potential cost of hosting the event. The policy framework for development of sports will also be given. It will be demonstrated and clarified to the public that allocating resources to sports activities and development do not conflict other policy programs. This means that there will be a balance between investments in future generations and sports infrastructure. The hosting of Asian Games will be a boost for the community as there will participation in sports activities that facilitate socialization at communal, societal, national and international levels. Question 3: America dealing with China with respect to tennis player defection The defection of tennis player Hu Na from the Peoples Republic of China created tension between The United States of America and the People’s Republic of China. The relationship between the United States and China has always been on and off. The Sino-America relationship takes varying perspectives depending on the prevailing circumstances. The changing relationships can be viewed in ‘rational actor’ approach. Both countries evaluate the relationship based on specific interests and balance of power (Heaton, 1984). When China senses that other countries outside the United States are less of a threat, it no longer strives to make mutual relationships with the US. The dwindling relationship is often as a result f China’s frustration by on a range of issues particularly Technology transfer and the global market economy. China gradually loosens the US ties. On the other hand, the US evaluates the ‘China card’ importance in its endeavors relative to global economy and strategic balance. This leads the US to relegate China to play the part of regional power. However, in recent times, China has been making significant global economic threat to the US. The most evident is the rising mutual economic relationship with African countries. Inherently, both countries pull away from each and pose as economic competitors. A former tennis player, Hu Na, defected to the Uited States in 1982 (iLook China, 2011). This resulted in cold war epoch diplomatic confrontation between China and the US. Hu Na had been on a Chinese government sponsored tour with the tennis team to California. She sought refuge at a friend’s home. Months down the line in April 1983, she sought political asylum citing fear of persecution by the Chinese government. She feared that she would be compelled by the government to be recruited and join the Communist Party. She claimed this would be against her will and the government would probably persecute her. Upon being granted asylum, the relationship between the two countries became constrained. There was significant cancellation of official exchanges. However, the two countries restricted the effect of the Hu Na defection. Decades down the line, the two still have considerable diplomatic ties. China has always attached significant importance on acquisition of technology from the US. China still sends students to learn in the US. Athletes are also sponsored by the Chinese government to the US for competitions. The US views this as sufficiently important in maintaining cordial relationship. Former leaders of both countries have always strived to prevent problems and irritants from mutating into major catastrophes (Bremmer, 2011). The current Sino-US relationship is a display of economic giants that do not else reflect much diplomatic ties. The countries appear poised for economic or physical battle. The leaders of either country do not portray much regard for each other nor do the diplomatic systems hint on mutual relationship. The granting of asylum to Hu Na involved several agencies from both countries. Even as the decision was being made to grant her asylum, it was pretty clear for the United States that the move would harm the Sino-US relationship. The former US President Reagan made the decision to grant asylum to Hu Na under duress from conservative supporters’ ignoring the Chinese stand on the tennis player to be returned to China. This was a win for the United States foreign policy. US were willing to dismiss any unreasonable Chinese demand. China realized this fact after failing in high-level ambassadorial maneuvers and opted to compromise. References Barnett, D. (1983). Chinas International Posture: Signs of Change. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press: 85-102. Bremmer, I. (2011). Gathering Storm: America and China in 2020. World Affairs Journal GAGOC (2009). Launch of Program to solicit proposals for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games. Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee. HAB (2010). Legislative Council Brief: Bid to host the 2023 Asian Games. HAB/R&SD/4038-1-55-6. Heaton, W.R. (1984). America and China. Retrieved from: http://www.airpower.au.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1984/jan-feb/heaton.html iLook China (2011). No link for misguided misinformation. Retrieved from: http://ilookchina.net/tag/government-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china/ ISCA (2011). International Sport and Cultural Association. Retrieved from: http://www.isca-web.org/english/ Manzenreifer, W. & Horne, J. (2005). Hosting major international sports comparing Asia and Europe. IIAS Newsletter, Vol. 39. SFOC (2011). Sports federation and Olympic committee of Hong Kong, China. Retrieved from: http://www.hkolympic.org/article/olympic_academy Xie, A. (2010). Either America or China will crash in 2011. International Journal of Politics. Read More