Technology has brought about a significant change in the world of sports. Though originally the use of technology had its share of detractors, their argument being technology slowing down the speed of the game, no one can deny that the right of a sports team or a sportsperson’s right to a fair game devoid of incorrect decisions. Technology has done away with all the squabbles regarding match decisions.

In the earlier days, whatever decision was made by the match officials was considered the last word. Though efforts had been made by all the great sports governing bodies of the world to do away with bias, yet the element of human error still remained, and will continue to exist. What technology strives to do is to remove the element of human error in the course of a match being played. Today, in the world of sports, technology has become a part and parcel of the entire event.  Other than in the area of broadcasting and televising a sporting event, technology also plays an extremely important part in game play.

In soccer matches, the problems which have plagued the game, since the beginning, are slowly being eliminated. Instant replays can be used by referees to decide about goal line conflicts, penalty decisions, off-sides, handball and other crucial decisions. Future prospects include a football with a microchip embedded in it, which can track whether the ball has crossed the goal line or not.

Hawk-Eye is a revolutionary technology which can provide a computer generated image of the ball movement using sensors placed in the playing field. This technology has been recently included in the game of tennis, in the form of a referral system and has made a huge impact on the game. This has led to the adoption of this technology in cricket.

The marriage of sports and technology has indeed proved to be fruitful. The reliance of sports on technology is here to stay.