The Asian impact on the sportisation process

Abstract

Fan Hong (2000) contends that while globalisation has provided the basis for the change and progress of Asia, its impact on Asian sport is contentious, particularly regarding the integrity of Asian culture. Using Elias's notion of sportisation, this article examines the impact of Asia upon the development of sport. In this analysis the development of sport in Asia is charted through the three fundamental phases of globalisation: imperialism, nationalism and consumerism. The latter being characterised by the growing impact of three domains of the Asian sports industry: the commodities (Asian performers and the staging of performances); the Asian 'market'; and Asian 'money'. This analysis proposes the notion of an emerging Asian hegemony in global sport with not only the economic power shifting away from its Euro-American epicentre, but also its institution, specifically its heritage and ethos, all being confronted by the pull of the geopolitical power that is consolidating in, and with, Asia.