The importance of sports in Bangladesh is deeply felt in every region. It is not only a means of entertainment and exercise, but also a powerful means of social and cultural change. The idea of incorporating this power into social business has recently become a focus of discussion, particularly through Nobel-winning economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Dr Yunus spoke about the potential of using the power of sport for social development and change and his vision opened up new dimensions of social business.
Dr. Yunus’s concept of social business basically refers to a business model that takes the welfare of society rather than making profit as the main objective. According to Yunus, sports is a force that can easily establish the objectives of social service, education, health and unity among people. For a country like Bangladesh where people have a strong interest in sports, the potential to harness this energy as a tool for social change is immense.
The benefits of social business through sports are capable of bringing about many qualitative changes. Firstly, sports keep young generation physically and mentally healthy. The youth of Bangladesh is currently facing various challenges, among which lack of motivation and health is one of them. Sports can solve part of this problem, as it improves physical activity and mental health. According to Dr. Yunus, through sports, the youth will become interested in a healthy lifestyle and this will have a positive impact on other areas of their lives.
Second, social cohesion and cooperation can be enhanced through sports. People from different sections of the society can come together on the sports field, which develops mutual relations between them. This unity and relationship creates an atmosphere of harmony and cooperation within society, which is consistent with the objectives of social business. This spirit of cooperation fostered through sports can help in various social projects and contribute to building a more cohesive society.
Third, sports can serve as an important learning medium. The presence of sports in schools, colleges and other educational institutions helps develop teamwork, leadership qualities and problem solving skills among students. By leveraging these learnings and skills in social business, youth can be helped to acquire professional skills and entrepreneurial qualities. By doing this, they will be able to establish themselves successfully not only in the field of sports, but also in other areas of life.
Another aspect of harnessing the power of sport in social business is economic development. Various sporting activities can be economically profitable and have a positive impact on the local economy. In particular, the expansion of sports can create new markets and opportunities for local businesses. Thus, social business can bring economic prosperity beyond the playing field. For example, business opportunities can be created by organizing local sporting events or competitions, which will contribute to the local economy.
According to Dr Yunus’ vision, a clear plan and strategy is needed to effectively harness the power of sports in social business. For this purpose, the government should facilitate policy making in the field of sports, such as improved infrastructure, training and financial support. Besides, social projects of sports can be conducted through non-governmental organizations and NGOs, which will increase interest in sports among people from different strata of society and bring about social change.
Finally, according to Dr. Yunus, it is possible to bring about a significant change in the society by harnessing the power of sports in Bangladesh for social business. Sport can pave the way for a stronger society by promoting motivation, health, unity and education. This change requires proper planning, concerted efforts and a strong social business vision. Sports is not only a means of entertainment, but it can be a powerful tool for social change, which, according to Dr. Yunus, is capable of creating new possibilities in Bangladeshi society.
