Sports: As an Appliance of Incorporation toward Malaysian Society

Abstract

Problem statement: This research investigated the elements of sport t hat led to social integration in Malaysian society and identified the steps taken to achieve social integration through sports. As a multi racial country, Malaysia consist ing of three major races, the Malays, Chinese and Indians were seen practicing the sport cultures tha t were inherited by their forefathers. History show s that colonization by the western powers i.e., the P ortuguese, Dutch and the British were claimed to have great impact on the segregation of these three races. The Chinese congregated around the town areas specially controlling the tin mines industry, the Malays were seen mostly in the paddy plantatio n industry while the Indians dominating the rubber pl antation industry. The differences are not only see n in their choice of occupation and living areas but even seen in their choice of sporting activities. W ith such differences and diversity in beliefs and pract ices one would think it would be difficult for thes e different Races to work together as a team. Approach: To clarify this statement, the study employed an ethnographic approach to assist the case study w hich was conducted on 30 athletes, selected using propulsive sampling, 10 from each of the 3 main rac es. The data collecting methods used were interviews, observation and document analysis. Results: Triangulation technique helped to support the validity of the findings. Its aimed to capture the athletes' cultural practices and investigated wheth er the implementation of the national sports policy is effective in contributing towards the integration of the different races in Malaysia. Conclusion/Recommendations: The findings of the study showed some very interesting results which further strengt hen the claims that sports not only can be an agent of integration but also acts as a catalyst to bring pe ople of different races to compete with one goal in mind, striving for the nation rather than for one's race glory and victory