About the author: Camellia Dinh (2019) – Bachelor of Business – International Event Management Graduate from Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Australia; Executive MBA of RMIT University; Views are my own.

The learning of Event Management is an absolutely interesting and broad field that can surprise many of us in terms of how much our lives are affected by events of all types, big or small on a daily basis.

My presentation of introduction to Event Management. Download HERE

In 2017, I was invited by RMIT University to participate as a guest lecturer in an Event Management workshop at the annual Business Experience Day, an event designed for their students and potential students to explore the world of business by joining the workshops and engaging with industry professionals.

After a discussion with the organizers, I suggested sports event as the central idea of the workshop because sports events are perhaps the most meaningful type of event in the world due to the size and its impacts on various aspects of life. Then after a few days of brainstorming session, I thought a discussion over the event management of a FIFA World Cup finale would be fun. And why not discuss the possibility to host a World Cup Final in a developing country such as Vietnam? In the end, the selected topic “Event hosting Vietnam 2026 FIFA World Cup” was well perceived by the academic team, event team and most importantly, the students who actively participated on the day of the workshop.

I was quite certain that most people from my home country Vietnam would get excited about FIFA World Cup, and as we usually say: “In World Cup season, Vietnamese eat football and sleep football”.

Sports & the Economy

The economic potential of sport is highlighted by its economic weight, resulting from activities such as the manufacture of sporting goods, sports events, sport-related services and the media. One of the most victorious examples of a successful mega event has the name of the Summer Olympic 2020 in Sydney, also known as the most successful event in the history (The Australian). “The success of the 2000 Olympic Games left a lasting economic legacy for the people of Sydney and the capability of Australia to successfully stage the Summer Games brought the world’s attention to the capabilities of Australian companies and individuals in a way not otherwise possible” Alan Marsh – CEO of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Research shows that investment into sport in developing countries is much less than in developed countries, as sport development is usually not a top priority in the national budget or in the education system of most developing countries. 

Rio de Janeiro was said to return to “normal” after a marathon of mega events with World Cup (2014) then Summer Olympics (2016). Regardless of all the doubts and criticisms from international audiences concerning its poor planning and the city’s short-term economic boost, Rio overcame Brazil’s ‘stray dog’ inferiority to show the world that they were capable of hosting these events, contrary to the belief that these types o events are only suitable for the first world.

Sports & Peace

Sports bring people together, despite of nationalities, races, genders, ages and religions. If we set aside history and political controversies and focus on the positive aspects.

Finally, people might want to see more of World Cup, but many were hesitated to visit Russia in 2018 because of the impression of Russia as an unsafe and unusual state. In many ways, Russia was a perfect World Cup host. The organization was excellent, and thanks to thousands of volunteers who helped visitors get by and a vast country where there is so much to uncover – people, beautiful historical landmarks and natural beauty.

Sports & the Millennial Development Goals

In international development, sports can be a powerful tool. Given the inherent values of teamwork and fair play, building self-esteem, and equal opportunities for boys and girls, sports can also be a means of promoting peace (United Nations 2005). The Sports & the Millennial Development Goals by the United Nations also includes the areas of Sport and Health, Sport and Education, Sport and Sustainable Development Sport and Peace, Sport and Communication, Sport and Partnerships and Sport and HIV/AIDS.

For the time being, if all of those things that I mentioned seem too academic or idealistic, perhaps we can temporarily set them all aside and start small by acknowledging the importance of Sports in everyone’s daily life. For a non-sporty person like me especially, in the year of 2019, I am going to try my best to start training myself with good health habits, perhaps to start with my commitment of 10,000 steps per day and to focus on my daily breathing.

References:

Underdevelopment of Sports in Developing Countries, sportanddev.org

Underdevelopment of sport in developing countries, United Nations – UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace (2005)

World Cup 2018: Were ‘perfect hosts’ Russia misjudged? Patrick Jennings (2018)

#BMIHMS #RMITUniversity #Sports #EventManagement #UnitedNations