From Segregation To Inclusion
Sport is often touted as a metaphor for the values and principles of democratic ideals in society. Indeed, in many respects this is true. In sport there is inclusivity and equality, freedom of assembly and association, diversity, tolerance, accountability and both the players and spectators agree to abide by the rules. Global sporting events are organised within the framework of democratic practices. Whereas the Olympic spirit evokes ideals of fair play, tolerance, respect, integrity and democracy, it is easy to forget the efforts of the pioneers who fought against racism and segregation to secure the gains we celebrate in sport today.
When the imperial powers introduced Western sport cultures during the colonisation of Africa they did not necessarily have the spread of democratic principles in mind. In all the colonies, sport was used for acculturation. In my home country Kenya, the British employed sport as a core tenet of the civilising mission. Sport was an effective tool of imperialism, used to assimilate and turn the colonised into subjects of the crown and to reinforce racial hierarchies. Non-Western sports such as wrestling and stick fighting were systematically eradicated to make room for the Western sport culture as a beacon of civilisation.
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