In today's world of modern technology and affordable global travel, the other side of the world has never seemed so close. In recent years we have become more educated and informed about a globe of diverse cultures and beliefs. Throughout history these cultures have clashed for a plethora of diverse reasons.
But if you take a deeper look you can see one theme that has brought together different cultures that dates back all the way to biblical times, and yes that is sport.
If you grew up in embedded in ' western' culture you supported the sport and team that you parents did before you arrived. You most likely supported players and athletes that played for your team for the life of their career. For some supporters the wins and losses affected your mental health and ability to make it through the next week.
Watching your favourite athletes battle it for your team week in and week out inspired you to persevere through own life battles and journey. It was unheard of that you would hear of a supporter changing which team they support even once in their lifetime.
This pastime and tradition is now eroding to the core with the so called professionalism of modern athletes and sports. Players discarding clubs over minuet decisions has begun to wear on supporters across all sports around the globe. It seems that the day of genuine loyalty is dead.
Personally I believe we may be on the brink of a collapse of supporters across many sports world wide.
We have often heard about athletes being role models on and of the sporting field, and it is the behaviour of the field that is eroding supporters. It's hard to criticise an athlete for trying to make as much money as possible with sporting careers these days often being very short.
But when they are the role model for behaviour you have to wonder how loyal the next generation of fans are going to be.
Just look at Lebron James move to the Miami Heat and the how many supporters followed the athlete. Also the amount of excuses athletes use to slip out of a binding contract is alarming across most sporting codes.
I wish I had a more optimistic approach to sports in this modern age of the amazing entertainment that is sport. But I guess I'm more of a realist, it will be interesting to see if supporters are still buying club memberships in 15 years or will they be purchasing "athlete" memberships to support a single athlete.
Will the NBA MVP be more important than the NBA "finals" - I certainly hope not.
Josh Hinds is a school chaplain on the Gold Coast, a family man and PSI's IT professional. Josh is an experienced writer on international sport.
Josh Hinds' previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/joshua-hinds.html