Many people are divided over having a sports tournament for international competitors occuring in their country. While some believe that money is wasted in hosting it, others believe the event’s benefits justify its costs. Although these justifications seem reasonable, I am inclined to express my disapproval toward this decision.
Organizing global sporting events might not be a wasteful venture. Organizing global sporting events might not be a wasteful venture. Certainly, new jobs will be created, particularly those in the construction and service industries. The former is expected to need more workers to build sporting facilities and lodging for the arriving athletes, while the latter obviously demands more hospitality providers for the sports tourists. Altogether, this results in a higher income overall for the population. Another point of note is that hosting international sports tournaments produces an opportunity to improve a country’s recognizability on the global stage. Such events, it is claimed, may leave lasting impressions on foreign visitors and allow a nation’s tourism industry to flourish for many years to come. The values created from organizing these events seem significant enough to justify the decision.
However, I firmly believe that a nation is squandering its wealth by hosting international sporting events. The expenses involved in such an endeavor, from lobbying for the rights to host to constructing sporting facilities, are massive to the point of extravagance. As a consequence, the home government incurs an exorbitant amount of debt, which ultimately falls to the taxpayers to foot the bill. After a tournament has concluded, meanwhile, the constructed facilities might end up a waste as well. This is likely the case for the host of Olympic-style events, as arenas and sports complexes for less popular disciplines fall into disuse. Even when they are used, the purpose is usually particular, and the public, as usual, has to pay for their maintenance. It is hence reasonable to oppose the holding of international sports tournaments.
In conclusion, organizing sports events for athletes from all over the globe is largely a waste of money, and can be one of the worst financial decisions a nation can make. Any government which likes to explore the possibility of doing so, in my opinion, would need a good reason for it.