Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determinant of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Sport is commonly defined as an organized, competitive and skillful physical activity requiring commitment and fair play. Some view sports as differing from games based on the fact that there are usually higher levels of organization and profit (not always monetary) involved in sports. Accurate records are kept and updated for most sports at the highest levels, while failures and accomplishments are widely announced in sport news.

The term sports is sometimes extended to encompass all competitive activities in which offense and defense are played, regardless of the level of physical activity. Both games of skill and motor sport exhibit many of the characteristics of physical sports, such as skill, sportsmanship, and at the highest levels, even professional sponsorship associated with physical sports.

Sports that are subjectively judged are distinct from other judged activities such as beauty pageants and bodybuilding shows, because in the former the activity performed is the primary focus of evaluation, rather than the physical attributes of the contestant as in the latter (although "presentation" or "presence" may also be judged in both activities).

Sports are most often played just for fun or for the simple fact that people need exercise to stay in good physical condition.

Although they do not always succeed, sports participants are expected to display good sportsmanship, standards of conduct such as being respectful of opponents and officials, and congratulating the winner when losing.

Terminology

In British English, sporting activities are commonly denoted by the collective noun "sport". In American English, "sports" is more common. In all English dialects, "sports" is the term used for more than one specific game. For example, "football and swimming are my favorite sports", would sound natural to all English speakers, whereas "I enjoy sport" would sound less natural than "I enjoy sports" to North Americans.

The term is sometimes extended to encompass all competitive activities in which offense and defense are played, regardless of the level of physical activity. Both games of skill and motor sport exhibit many of the characteristics of physical sports, such as skill, sportsmanship, and at the highest levels, even professional sponsorship associated with physical sports. Air sports, billiards, bridge, chess, motorcycle racing, and powerboating are all recognized as sports by the International Olympic Committee with their world governing bodies represented in the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations.

History

Sport has existed for several thousand years. As the world population continues to increase and technology improves in areas such as transportation, communication, medicine, and sports equipment, sport will continue to evolve and involve more and more people across nearly all parts of the world.

Sociology of sport

The motivations for participating in sport and being a spectator are studied in sociology.

Sports in Kerala

Ancient

Several ancient ritualised arts are Keralite in origin. These include kalaripayattu—kalari ("place", "threshing floor", or "battlefield") and payattu ("exercise" or "practice"). Among the world's oldest martial arts, oral tradition attributes kalaripayattu's emergence to Parasurama. Other ritual arts include theyyam and poorakkali.

Modern

However, larger numbers of Keralites follow sports such as cricket, kabaddi, soccer, and badminton. Dozens of large stadiums, including Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Thiruvananthapuram's Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium, attest to the mass appeal of such sports among Keralites.

Football

Football is the most popular sport in the state. Some notable football stars from Kerala include I. M. Vijayan and V. P. Sathyan. Districts like Malappuram, Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Trivandrum has produced many Indian International footballers. A Seven-a-side version of football is hugely popular in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur. These "Seven's football" tournaments attract many fans and international players for the sheer joy and excitement of fast paced football.

Most of the professional football clubs in India have many Kerala footballers including Indian internationals N P Pradeep, K Ajayan and Sushant Mathew.

Athletics

Kerala has a rich history of producing world class athletes. Athletes like like T. C. Yohannan, Suresh Babu, P.T.Usha, Shiny Wilson, K. M. Beenamol, Anju Bobby George are amongst the best Kerala has produced.

Volleyball

Volleyball, another popular sport, is often played on makeshift courts on sandy beaches along the coast. Jimmy George, born in Peravoor, Kannur, was arguably the most successful volleyball player ever to represent India. At his prime he was regarded as among the world's ten best players.

Cricket

Cricket, which is the most-followed sport in the rest of India and South Asia, is less popular in Kerala. Abhishek Mohan Nayar plays first class cricket for Mumbai and also represents Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. He is selected for West Indies tour in 2009. He is an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace.Abhishek was born in Secundarabad to Keralite immigrants Mohan Nair and Lekha Nair. His parents were originally from Neyyattinkara in Kerala.Sreesanth, who was born in Kothamangalam and often referred to as simply "Sreesanth", is a controversial right-arm fast-medium-pace bowler and a right-handed tail-ender batsman whose actions were pivotal in sealing, among other games, the 2007 ICC World Twenty20. Among less successful Keralite cricketers is Tinu Yohannan, son of Olympic long jumper T. C. Yohannan.

Kerala Martial Arts and Sports

Kerala has long been known for its various forms of martial arts and sports. The age old martial arts training centers used to be almost like a Gurukul where the students went in at a very young age when the body is still supple. The child-disciple is then given complete training. Not only are exercises and physical fitness emphasized on, rigorous martial arts training is undergone for many years. The Guru or the preceptor trains the student in many subjects including Ayurveda, the science of herbal healing and Yoga to awaken the mental or psychic powers. These are considered integral parts of martial training in Kerala as a person needs to effectively heal himself in an ailment before he can prepare for sports and combat. A through knowledge of physiology helped in fruitful combat and prepared the disciple in strong offensive tactics. Knowledge of the nerves and joints and various body organs helped in preparing a proper defense. A profound philosophical, usually religious doctrine is ingrained. This gives the mind direction and focus. Special martial arts training were provided to the royal militarily guards and the religious warriors. Thus martial arts training was a complete study in its own and took many years for a person to perfect. Some of the commonly practiced Kerala martial arts and sports are-

Aattakalasham

Ammanattam

Anthakshari

Chathurangam

Cheettukali

Golikali

Kalapootu

Kalarippayattu

Kalavayal

Kalayottam

Kankettu

Kavadikali

Kilithattukali

Kilukkikuthu

Kozhipporu

Kumbala

Kuttiyumkolum

Kuzhipanthukali

Maramadi

Nadanpanthukali

Onathallu

Pakidakali

Pallaankuzhi

Pambaramkali

Thaduthuthallu

Thalapanthukali

Thongikali

Thumbithullal

Uriyadi

Vadipayattu

Vallamkali

Vattukali

Use of arms and implements such as knife, bow and arrow, sword, stick etc. were taught to the disciple besides freehand combat. Martial arts display formed a common performance in temple festivals and other important occasions. Some sports such as Njaninmel Kali (tightrope walking) were also much favored. It is this expertise in the field of martial arts and sports that has paved the way for training in circus acts. The Kannur and Thalassery areas of north Kerala are renowned for such well trained circuses and the entire state is known as the "home of the circus in India".

Water Sports

Kerala is covered by the rivers, lagoons and lakes in the interiors and surrounded by the sea on the west. These geomorphological features make it an ideal destination for tourists with fascination for the water sports. The water sports are enjoyed for adventure and thrill. While at Kerala, you can enjoy water sports like Canoeing, Catamaran Sailing, Kayaking, Para Sailing, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Wind Surfing.

Water sports activities offered by various beach resorts and sports clubs in Kerala include Canoeing, Kayaking and Para Sailing. Each beach of Kerala is completely unique and different from one another because of their dive conditions and marine life. The tourists, because of their natural beauty as well as the water sports activity, haunt these beaches.