Sportsmanship. An aspect that is all too often forgotten in modern-day sports. I recall a lecture that my coach gave us earlier this year, the day after one of our first Water Polo games of the season. The day before, our varsity had beaten a team 18-0. But was this really a win? No. The game was not a win. Our team may have won on paper, but our opponent left feeling like they just played against "a group of spoiled rich kids."
Part of playing a sport is the opportunity to represent your school. It is an opportunity to show the very best player inside of you, and play against another team doing the exact same. Being a good player comprises your skill at the sport, but it also comprises your character. How are you going to act on and off the field? How are you going to act if you win or lose? Winning or losing is merely a state of mind. If you really did play your best and gave it your all, maintained sportsmanship, and accepted that you lost on paper, then you did win.
We need to be respectful when we compete, not only to our opponent but ourselves. A game is just that, a game. It is not the end of the world if you lose. Winning does not make you all powerful. Not all schools may have a sports program as established as others. We should be respectful and fortunate that we have the opportunity to compete against them in the first place. In time, their program will grow, and one day they could be a formidable opponent to truly give a challenge to all who face them.
Sports may allow us to stay fit and compete. But what else? They are an opportunity to compete. They are an opportunity to be the very best of who we are. But not only that, but sports opens the doors to friendships, lessons in life. Playing is only half the game. It is how the players carry themselves on and off the field that truly defines how a game is played.
No comments:
Post a Comment