Diversity In Sports

At the core of the many functions played by sports is their ability to foster cooperation and understanding across the diverse demographics. Members drawn from different races, age groups, gender, sexual inclinations among many other categories unite and operate under similar banners in sporting events. The inherent goal for the sporting organizers is to have an event where members of the diverse demographic compete and participate on grounds of equity and fairness. Unfortunately, this goal has not always been the case as there are many glaring evidences where some sports seems to favor member of specific demography while discriminating against the other. Minority groups have particularly been on the receiving end. This has occasioned a series
The writers contend that diversity in terms of race, gender, age, and economic status have been a factor in these sports. For example, the number of minority coaches in the NFL has significantly been low despite the massive involvement of the same minority groups in the game. The Rooney Rule of the 2003 came into place to try and resolve this issue by having guidelines for hiring coaches. NASCAR similarly rolled out a program with an aims of improving participation of minority groups including female and African Americans. PGA was also a preserve for the majority groups, which for this case are the White, until the likes of Tiger Woods came into play. Lastly, the case study takes note at how refereeing decision are biased in NBA based on the race of the referee and the race of the player. Referee tend to favor players of their race while discriminate against other
For instance, the organizational culture must first be that that acknowledges and respects diversity. This means a member of the minority group shall at all times receive equal treatment as their compatriots. This must be well stipulated in the companies guiding principles. Secondly, the HR department has a role to come up with policies that must at all times guarantee diversity. For example, by setting a percentage figure of new recruitment that will go to the minority groups, it is possible to resolve the challenges of diversity (Cañas & Sondak, 2011). The best example is the Rooney Rule of the 2003 that made it a mandatory for all NFL team with head coaching vacancy to interview at least one member from a minority group.
In conclusion, the issue of diversity is increasingly becoming a critical factor in the American sports. Sports are important especially for their ability to bring people together, unify them, and promote peace and understanding even amidst competition. Recognizing diversity and ensuring that it is well reflected in all sports arena is the only way to keep a nation united. All organization therefore have a responsibility of acknowledging that American is a diverse society and must therefore shun away from engaging in practices that seem to favor members of a particular