Introduction: Why Study Sports in the Middle East?

Introduction: Why Study Sports in the Middle East?

Department

Cairo Papers in Social Science

Abstract

The sociology of sports in the Middle East has been neglected compared to other world regions. This volume aspires to encourage a greater focus on this topic. Here are assembled papers that discuss various aspects of this subject. As it happens all deal with football (soccer) largely in Egypt but including other Middle Eastern countries. Some are historically or politically oriented while others take a more sociological approach. Papers deal with the relation between organized sports and fans, with the special place of youngsters and women in sports, or with the role of sports in a more general understanding of culture and society as indicators of modernization and other facets of social change. Sportive competitions arouse keen passions around such issues as gender, class, and nationality, while they raise questions about leadership on and off the field, and about the economic impact of the games. The topic needs more research.

Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Book Chapter

Book Title

Sports and Society in the Middle East

Editors

Nicholas S. Hopkins, Sandrine Gamblin

ISBN

9781617977312

Publisher

American University in Cairo Press

City

Cairo

First Page

1

Last Page

11

Series

Cairo Papers in Social Science 34(2)

Keywords

Sports, Middle East, institutions, North Africa, soccar

Introduction: Why Study Sports in the Middle East?

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