Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things

In times of strife, when the storms of hardship rage, and the weight of uncertainty presses down upon a people, there arises a temptation to sever the delicate threads that bind the soul of society. We see this truth, time and again, in the history of nations, where in moments of difficulty, it is the arts and sports—the very expressions of human spirit, strength, and joy—that are the first to be sacrificed upon the altar of austerity. "Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times," says the wise Lucy Powell. And it is not without sorrow that we heed her words, for in this choice, we see the cost of losing that which nourishes the heart of civilization.

The arts, that noble realm where the soul of the people finds its voice, and sports, that battlefield where the human body and spirit are tested to their limits—both are seen as luxuries, dispensable in the face of more "urgent" concerns. Yet, what is civilization without the joy of music, the splendor of painting, the inspiration of dance? What is it without the rallying cry of athletes, the courage of competitors, the unity forged in the fires of competition? These are not mere distractions; they are the very threads that weave the tapestry of society’s vitality. And when we cut them, we cut at the very essence of what it means to be human.

Consider the ancient civilizations that thrived not only because of their armies, but because of their poets, their philosophers, their athletes, their artists. The Greeks, with their Olympic Games, celebrated the strength and spirit of the human form. Through their art, their sculpture, their theatre, they carved out a legacy that transcended the physical world, touching upon the divine. These were not luxuries; they were the foundation of a culture that would echo through the ages, inspiring the world for centuries to come. The arts and sports were not viewed as expendable; they were honored as expressions of the divine will within man. The flame of competition and creativity burned bright, for it was understood that a civilization’s greatness was not measured solely by its power, but by the richness of its culture and the strength of its spirit.

Now, in the modern age, we find ourselves facing the same peril. The sacrifice of these sacred institutions—these vessels of culture and strength—becomes all the more grievous when we are blind to their power. How many times have we seen budgets slashed, grants removed, and funding pulled from these very pillars in times of hardship, as though they were of little consequence? And yet, we fail to see the great wisdom in holding these realms close, even when resources are scarce. For it is in times of adversity that the arts and sports become even more essential. It is in these moments that we need the uplift of music, the strength of athletics, the solace of a painting, and the inspiration of a play. They heal our wounded souls and bind us together when the world seems divided.

The lesson is this: In the midst of struggle, we must not lose sight of that which uplifts and strengthens us. The arts and sports are not mere luxuries; they are the lifeblood of the human spirit. Without them, we become hollow, our societies crumble into dullness and despair. In the face of hardship, we must seek not to cut away that which nourishes our hearts, but to cherish and protect it, for in protecting the arts and sports, we protect the soul of our civilization.

Let us, then, act with courage. When the winds of austerity howl, we must be the ones to stand firm and defend these treasures. Do not let the false wisdom of scarcity blind you to the truth that the arts and sports are the very means by which we transcend our hardships. Support them, nurture them, and ensure that they are never cast aside as expendable. For they are the spark that lights the fire of hope in our darkest hours. And in the act of preserving them, we preserve the very essence of what it means to be human.