This is the last article you can comment on for the second half of October.
So an article for the sports fans and fantasy fiction fans out there. Make sure to read both pages. A fluffy topic, but hopefully some at least semi-serious issues connected with it. What do you think about trying to take something from a book and make it real? Is this different or similar to people who are part of the Society for Creative Anachronisms and dress up as knights in armor and fight with swords and things?
So an article for the sports fans and fantasy fiction fans out there. Make sure to read both pages. A fluffy topic, but hopefully some at least semi-serious issues connected with it. What do you think about trying to take something from a book and make it real? Is this different or similar to people who are part of the Society for Creative Anachronisms and dress up as knights in armor and fight with swords and things?
The participants say that it is a serious and difficult sport. There is even the possibility that the NCAA will recognize it. Is it somehow more laughable and ridiculous than other sports, or are all sports, including Quidditch, only for having fun and keeping in shape? What do you think about the fact that both men and women play together? Can you think of other sports which have this possibility (officially)? Would it be good if more did, or do you think that co-ed sports are a bad idea?
Finally, it seems that this sport is generally only popular on college campuses. In fact, it would seem difficult for Komenskeho students to do it, since there is no real campus, only buildings in BA (especially given that the snitch can run around off-field). Does going to university at an American-style campus (where you can do crazy things like this out of the public eye and be part of a community of your peers) attract you? Or does it seem too separated from the outside world (and perhaps too expensive…)?
I can see that certain dreams really do come true in America. When I was a little kid reading Harry Potter books, I imagined what it would be like if Quidditch existed in the real world and if it did then how I would join the team instantly. In my opinion it’s wonderful to observe that some people are still childlike with a great sense of humor and who are turning things that are seemingly impossible to life. It takes some courage, an open heart and mind and easygoing manners to be able to run around a campus with a broom between your legs pretending you are flying.
ReplyDeleteAt such times I find myself regretting that I live in Slovakia as it would be probably impossible to find even two full teams who would play against each other. That is mainly due to the Slovak nature which is to judge everything on the scale whether something is or isn’t normal and poor Quidditch would definitely not be considered the first option.
From my perspective, any sort of active movement that a person can enjoy can be called a sport even if it looks ridiculous at the first sight. For example I can’t see much difference between Quidditch and curling, which made it to the Winter Olympics and it’s nothing more than polishing ice in front of a strange object that is shoved onto it. Nobody would dare to say that such activity would become a part of the prestigious competition when it was at its beginning. I suppose that if a certain sport gains a great amount of fans then it has the right to exist also as a competitive and recognized sport.
Moreover, Quidditch is a unique example of a cooperative sport between men and women. Other examples could be the pair activities such as dancing and figure skating or badminton or equestrian sports where competitors of both genders compete against each other however these are not much of team sports like Quidditch is. I feel that if more sports were played together, it would be greater fun and men and women would understand each other more as they would become also friends with each other as no team sport can be played without feeling any connection with your co-players. I can also tell from my personal experience that I have never enjoyed volleyball or even football more than when I was in a mixed team. It gives the whole game a special spark that can’t be reached in a one-gender game, I think. Therefore Quidditch looks like an amazing pastime because of the fun and relax you can get from it so I am more than glad that the J.K. Rowling’s idea got realized.
After reading Alexis comment, further to the whole article, I realized that this sport has a great perspective. This “ridiculous” mix of several sports should not be understood anymore as a recession or a joke. There is a great spirit and joy emerging from this sport, furthermore, what else does a recently invented sport need?
ReplyDeleteAs Alex mentioned, even the most silly sports can win the hearts of millions. I don’t need to mention the example of football ,that is by many ,interpreted as a religion, and is eventually about 22 men chasing for a ball. It doesn’t seem silly to anyone, because it provides people with unrepeatable moments, diverse emotions and national pride. Of course, football has a long, compelling history that makes him what he is today. And thus Quidditch, in its first years must gain popularity not only among the fans, but more significantly among the actual players, to increase its base.
The key to this is simplicity and low costingness. Players run around only with a broom and a ball in their hand (depending on their position). I find it very simple to take a broom from your mom, ball from your wardrobe and meet with your friends on an open field to play Quidditch. The cost of the whole equipment seems to be very low, although the protective cups for men may be useful. Simple rules, that even a “non potter” should understand, upsurge its potential.
Slow but constant evolution and popularization of this sport hasn’t yet reached its final stage. It all began with few Harry Potter enthusiasts, today the first teams are established, small tournaments and friendly matches held. It all depends on the establishers, players and fans, whether they are able to export this sport to the neighboring states, nations and overseas. It may be a question of few years. And then I would be curious to see the reaction of the “conservative” Slovakians towards this sport.
@Alex:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on all points except for the one about Slovaks not being able to form a Quidditch team. I know that we live in a post-communistic country where it is not so hard to observe and understand the fact that many people, especially the elder ones still harbor quite conservative opinions. But I am not implying that they should either accept it or join the nearest team. However, I doubt that you took into consideration the number of people needed for one team. It cannot be more than ten. And I strongly believe that there are at least 20 young people in Slovakia that are open-minded and adventurous enough to be willing to try something that sounds as crazy as playing Quidditch in the real world. In fact, I actually played something similar to American version of Rowling’s Quidditch in a summer camp and everyone enjoyed it. The only problem is that there has not been a movement to form a team yet. However, it might be only a question of time until there is one and until games of Quidditch are played in Slovakia regularly.
Comment from Mai:
ReplyDeleteEven though I’m not a Harry Potter fan I like the idea of quidditch being played. But, I’m sure there not many players playing quidditch right now, beside die-hard Harry Potter fans. I would like to try this sport or game once it arrives to Slovakia. But I think there are a lot of issues that have to be resolved before it can be taken serious. And then one day it might even be considered as an Olympic sport.
We have to decide whether men and women will play together or we will have separate male and female completions. It is well known that women are not as athletic as men, I’m not discriminating women I’m just saying that from biology we know that women are less athletic. And it would be unfair for teams with women to compete against other teams consisting of only men. So, I propose two different solutions to this problem. First solution is similar to rules of korfball. In korfball, teams consist of four men and four women. Quidditch seems to be a more complex sport so it may require more players. Nevertheless, the number of both men and women players shall be equal.
Second solution I propose is to play quidditch separately. Men will have their tournaments and women will have theirs just like in basketball or volleyball. If this will be the case, I propose different rules for men and women. For example, men’s version of quidditch will allow more contact and heavier broomsticks will be required. Furthermore, men’s quidditch will always have a male snitch and female competitions will require female snitches. I also have an additional idea of how to play quidditch. It can be played like tennis. There will be women competitions, men competitions and then mixed competitions just like I have explained in the first solution. However, the number of active players is very small and the first solution might be the best for the future of quidditch.
I think quidditch have a potential to be a great sport one day. There are a lot of kids and adults that enjoy Harry Potter and I bet they would like to try quidditch one day. It is a young sport that needs a lot improvement in terms of rules and equipment, but one day quidditch will become an Olympic sport. No kidding.