Striving for balance: modernity and elite sport from an Islamic perspective

Abstract

Striving for Balance: Modernity and Elite Sport from an Islamic perspective explores serious issues related to high performance sport in the Islamic world and the effects of the Western World on individual athlete’s perceptions. The matters explored are not only crucial to the development of elite sport in Islamic countries but are supported by invaluable data gathered at the Malaysian Commonwealth Games. Eash chapter deals with differing issues such as ‘reflection of the past’, ‘religion and culture’, ‘Islamic values’, and the influence of ‘faith’ on the athlete’s behaviour. There is an attempt throughout to review the conflicting cultures, hence the title, and to suggest opportunities for reflecting upon the influences of religion and culture in the Malay context. Finally issues which require resolving are tackeld and suggestions given to rectify some of the problematics.