Sporting Spirit vs Commercial Culture

In my country, rugby has no tradition at all, which is pity, because I think it is one of the best games in the world. I like it, although I have never actually played it.

Recently, during my Cambridge visit, I saw a bunch of guys playing rugby in a park. They reminded my of my high school P.E. lessons, when we would play football outside regardless of the harsh conditions. Although rugby does not have any tradition in Slovakia, in passion we matched the guys from Cambridge. And that matters. Such sports should teach young men fair play, build fortitude and improve physique. They are part of the curriculum of most of the schools in England. In Slovakia, the most popular school game is football (soccer).

There are only a few American Football teams in Slovakia. Actually, many people back there do not differentiate between Rugby and its "commercial" brother - American Football. Once someone allowed the players to pass the ball forward, dressed them in protective gear so that they look like Darth Vader and filled their heads with pre-learned tactics. And this is how American Football was born. I can not help, but to me it comes across as a game more connected with the commercial culture of eating up hamburgers than the original spirit of sport.

When I visited Anfield Stadium (above) in Liverpool, the guide told us about the thousands of fans crammed into the tiny tribune. There was hardly space to raise your hands for a goal. During a match there was no thought of getting a beer. Anyone who was hungry, should have had breakfast. Those who had to go to the toilet, had to use their imagination. But the atmosphere was great, fans singing and chanting. Even now, I cam feel the spirit from the surroundings. This is totally opposite to the situation at some other modern events where fans come only to consume, show off and fight.

On the topic of sport, I have to mention the photo I saw in Oxford above of students at Christ Church College playing ice hockey on the frozen mews. Ice hockey does not have much of a tradition in England, but students have always been the ones who bring new trends and pioneered ideas. And they had time to waste. No wonder, given the fact that almost all colleges had their own brewery.

These days students decide to dance the Harlem Shake in the library. The librarian who got sacked was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I remember when we were catching the last bus from dormitories to the student club on the big party night. It was full of singing undergraduates, and I daresay that no one had a valid ticket. The bus driver was the only sober one and frightened to hell. No wonder he didn't act and got fired. Do not judge him. 

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Read more posts by Erik here.

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