Right here at home, I was fortunate to witness Jurong Junior College’s (JJC) extremely inspiring contingent at an A Division final.
While huge, strong crowds can seize a stadium and devour players, a smaller contingent with a bigger heart can move the steeliest. JJC, clearly enjoying a rare occasion, did not forget it was an opportunity for fellowship.
They cheered hard for the JJC team. But wait, they also cheered for the opposing fans, the opponents, the officials, and the organizers.
The sight of the opposing fans freezing for a moment at such a warm atmosphere sent an awkwardness through me. Not forgetting at the other end was a top sports JC.
JJC reminds us that more than the competition and rivalry that sports thrive on, it is a celebration.
In the schools sports scene where a few have dominated, it was refreshing to see a poorer cousin come along to nudge the big boys, about what is the true essence of sports.
And it was their fans, the spectators, who did the job.
“… not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
Fought, they did. But many, in their quest to conquer as well, have developed a knack for going beyond the ethical, but not illegal, blurring the line of sportsman-like behaviour.
It is the evolution of sports. The result is something Stephen Potter coined “Gamesmanship”.
He experienced it himself first-hand, and since his gamesman philosophy became popular, sports have changed considerably. Athletes have become a little naughtier, injecting touches of gamesmanship into multiple sports.
Jollie Ng
GB
KPS
USS
Birth date: 19 Jun 92
Death Date: 1 Jan 05
Food Fanatic
Wishlist
1)Taste all good food in the workd
2)To own a successful eatery one day
3)To work hard for my 'a' lvls
4)To get into uni
5)To gain and mantain meaningful relationships
6)A wonderful birthday gift
7)Crumpler
Loves
1)Food
2)English
3)Family
Hates
1)Talkative radios
2)Studying
3)Failing subjects
4)Certain ppl
5)Routine stuff
6)Almost everyting of life except FOOD
