Education should not be confined to the four walls of a classroom.
Teaching and learning should also take place on football fields and basketball or tennis courts, with a focus on character-building.
In any sport, what is most important is showing respect to your opponent and to the game.
This is the first lesson that a coach should instil in their players.
Take badminton, for example – deliberately employing delay tactics to disrupt an opponent’s rhythm is not acceptable, nor is flicking the shuttlecock to a distant spot when it falls on your side of the court.
Another key point: when you win an important match, it is magnanimous to keep your emotions in check, shaking hands with your opponent and the officials before celebrating with your coaches.
Similarly, in football and hockey, it is heartwarming to see players shaking hands with the opposing team and match officials as a show of respect.
No matter how skilled you are, manners and respect for your opponents are very important.
Even if you have won every major tournament, disrespectful behaviour can overshadow your achievements and leave a lasting negative impression on fans.
They will remember your poor sportsmanship rather than your prowess.
Consider tennis legends like John McEnroe and Ilie Nastase, whose tantrums often overshadowed their brilliance.
By contrast, the great English footballer Sir Bobby Charlton is revered not only for his talent but also for his gentlemanly conduct.
These days, it is rare to see a shuttler or tennis player ask an umpire to replay a point or award it to the opponent when they feel an unfair call has been made.
The same goes for cricket, where a batsman was once occasionally called back to bat if the opposing captain believed the umpire’s decision was wrong.
The ultimate aim in sports should be to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, as it reflects one’s attitude, character and values, which relate to one’s upbringing and education.
Good manners learnt when playing sports will naturally extend to one’s attitude, behaviour and interactions in the workplace and everyday life.
THIAGAN MATHIAPARANAM Klang
