MMA in Myanmar: International Community Building

"Beauty is meaningless until it is shared"

-George Orwell

 

Myanmar, a country closed off from the rest of the world for decades. Over the last few years, the country's leadership has led reforms to open up to the world at large. Now, OneFC will hold a couple tournaments highlighting some of Myanmar's top MMA fighters in Yangoon and top it off with main card fight between Bibiano Fernandez and Toni Tauru.

Sporting events such as these help develop international communities and societies. An article in Psychological International by Rubin and Gary, talks about how sporting events such as the Olympics help develop and promote peace amongst international communities. They explain, "the United Nations has become increasingly committed to communicating its vision of global human rights through the implementation of athletic programs that promote peacemaking initiatives, tolerance and reconciliation while decreasing tensions, inequity and prejudice".  

A Japan times article, even goes further to explain how Hideo Nomo, a baseball player was able to help relations between Japan and the United States. The same is probably true with Manny Pacquiao's impact on relations between other Asian nations and the Philippines. It will be intriguing to see who becomes Myanmar's international sports hero!

It is exciting to see Myanmar compete on the global stage through OneFC and hopefully we will see the beauty of Myanmar shared and expressed through this mixed martial arts event.


-Dwight


References:
1. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/print/country/countrypdf_bm.pdf
2. http://onefc.com 
3. http://www.apa.org/international/pi/2012/10/un-matters.aspx
4. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/07/27/more-sports/examining-nexus-of-sports-international-relations/#.Valo27ZVK1E