Spirit of Sport.....

Before I start this article, let me mention that I am not a great sportsperson. Badminton has always been a passion. Cricket used to be a dangerous favourite during my childhood and adolescent years (I guess the same would apply to most Indian boys). However, I always loved watching the variety of matches being telecast on TV; ranging from National Hockey, World Olympics, World Cups (Cricket, Football), Tennis Grand Slams (all 4 of them), etc, etc. This article is not meant to be about the various sporting events; nor is it about the players. Nor is it about a sport's role in politics and peace efforts. It is more at the micro level. The spirit of sports, competition, victory, determination, etc. among the players; be them amateurs, hobbyists(like me) or professionals. However, at the professional arena, it does get quirky with the amounts of money involved and the politics of sports.

I have always wondered. Can any person understand an another better? I suppose sport is the activity where the players, all equally passionate about the sport, resonate together to elevate the sport to a much higher pedestal. Just the spirit matters. Nothing else matters. No prizes, no money, no appreciation, no recognition, no adulation - well, they do not truly matter. A Man understands another perfectly in a sport. The sport brings them together. Even the best of friends become enemies during the match. There is no concept of give and take. We always play to win. But then, if we lose, after a good battle, we always think that the better person has won. Often, losing a good battle proves to be a great means of satisfaction too.

Consider this game of badminton between two good friends. The scores tied at 14-14. The game extends to 17. The scores go like this: 15-14, 15-16, 16-16, 16-16, 16-17. Does it truly matter as to who won? What is wrong in coming second? Both deserved to win the game. They fought it well to the nail-biting finish. Are such games publicised? I am sure scores of these games would be happening between two good friends playing any game for that matter in any part of the world everyday. What keeps them going? The world doesn't even know about them. They do not get prizes or media coverage. Here is where the spirit of sport comes into picture. The harmony of the individual with his passion made possible courtesy his opponent.

Lastly, I dedicate this blog to Nitin, Vishnu and Gopi for providing this author with wonderful opportunities to have played amazing games with them over the past 1.5 years; be it singles or doubles in Badminton. Each one of us would be parting ways soon on our journeys towards our individual destinies. It was a pleasure playing with all of you. May we all continue to pursue our passion with other like-minded individuals; wherever our respective journeys might take us.