WELL-PLAYED... WELL-DESERVED

One of the most difficult things to do, while watching a match like T-20 Final in Sri Lanka yesterday, is to watch it without taking side. 

 

I was supporting West Indies, like most Indians did, last night. 

If Australia and South Africa were in fray, last night, I would have rooted for South Africa.

And, if Sri Lanka was pitted against Pakistan, I would have put all my money on the island!

Thank God, India did not reach the Final! Even if our players had played the worst match, last night, I would still want them to win!

A game, a sport has thrill only when you play to win... when you compete. As a spectator, too, it holds true: you need to take side, support that side… It is only then, a sport is a sport.

Why did I want West Indies to win, last night?

Why would I have rooted for SA instead of Australia?

Why would I have not betted on Pakistan?

The reasons, whenever I think of them, make me feel silly of myself: “How childish we can be!” Yes, as a small kid I had done the same thing… and, now, at 54, I am still a kid!

Never mind!

There is so much to learn from sports…

The first and foremost is ‘sportsmanship’…

That you need to be a good fighter… for which, you need stamina, energy, strength… the power of endurance…

That, you need to believe in yourself… set constantly new benchmarks,  new standards… try hard, give your best, compete… play to win and not to lose… 

That, you need to play as a team… complement each others’ strengths… give credit to your teammates… Motivate them, be motivated by them…

That, when you win, the first thing you should do is to shake hands with the loser, pat him on his back and say, “Well-played!”

That, when you lose, too, the first thing you should do is to shake hands with the winner, pat him on his back and say, “Well-deserved!”

And, that, you can not win always… You win some, you lose some…

Be graceful both in victory and defeat…

That, you can not afford to rest on your laurels, can not allow the success to go to your head… nor can you under-estimate your opponents’ strengths…

That, when you lose, it is not the ‘end’… 

You have not lost your life, only a match… 

Try again, try again… 

 

As West Indies did, last night!

And, above all, play fair… with respect and dignity…

Enjoy the game, enjoy the camaraderie… enjoy life…

Celebrate it like a little child, always… all your life!

And, yes, yes, take side… and, play never to lose!

Though, sometimes, you do!

“Well-played Sri Lanka!”… “Well-deserved West Indies!”

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic.: Denzil Pais