Sports have been part of human culture for thousands of years, though when they were first developed, no one can say. They were first incorporated into the daily routine of children, and later evolved into autotelic physical contests for adults. Prehistoric art shows hunters chasing their prey with a joyous abandon. In some ancient civilizations, hunting was an end in itself, and sports developed from this.
In the late 17th century, the first organized sports began to emerge in England. The British Football Association (FA) introduced a game called football called the FA Cup, which was open to any registered men’s team. These matches were conducted randomly in the first few rounds, and eventually led to the formation of national organizations that standardized the rules and registered the results. The first modern sports, such as rowing (crew), gained popularity followings after the inaugural Henley Regatta in 1747 and the birth of the Amateur Athletic Association (AAAA).
While there are a variety of definitions for a sport, most people believe that it is defined as an activity with a purpose that is different from work. Thus, it is important to define a sport as such to avoid misunderstandings and confusion.