All sporting competitions or activities require rules and regulations to govern them. Rules and regulations differ among sports but common principles may apply. The basic purpose of sporting competitions is to identify the best athletes and reward them for their performances. There are two types of competitions – competitive and non-competing. Competitions may also pit two or more teams against each other, or one against the other in a neutral environment such as a sporting arena. Some sports also require the players to wear uniforms, equipment and protective gear and to have undergone training so that the sportsman may competently perform.
Most sports competitions are governed by some group of rules or traditions, which ensure fair play, and enable consistent adjudication of the result. In modern sports, reports of results are often made, and this information can be widely announced or communicated in sports news. In some countries, certain events are banned completely, while others are regulated by very particular standards of dress, conduct and behaviour. Some sports are still managed by private bodies, either national or international, with public participation sometimes permitted in some events. Sport events often attract large audiences, with the wide range of media featuring the action including television, radio, live commentary and print media. The modern sports writer has a very important and prestigious job – one that pays the bulk of one’s salary, if not all of it, in part because of his or her ability to get results and make a public impact through their reporting.
One area that has become very critical in modern society is sports reporting. Because the modern sports person needs to maintain a professional image and to appear in the public eye, this aspect of sports reporting has also become important. This profession has its roots in the nineteenth century when newspaper reporters travelled to sports events to provide reports. Today, sports journalists are required to have a degree in a relevant field, but many opt to specialize in one area of sportsmanship. As well as providing a platform for the sporting enthusiasts to air their views and emotions, this profession also provides an excellent education for sports reporting. Graduates may choose to pursue a career as a sports writer, a sports anchor, or a freelance sports journalist.