ACSI and SA brawl: What we can take away

Hey all,
  Recently in the news, there has been a rather surprising amount of coverage on the match between ACSI and SA. Never have I seen such mass media coverage of that match. However, sadly, it is not because the players played a great match at a frantic pace etc, but rather it is due to one incident after the match that marred the whole match and possibly the whole tournament. Yes, indeed, I am talking about the mass brawl, where apparently not only students, but parents got involved too. And yes, should you be lost at this point, you must have been living under the Earth for the past month.

  So, what apparently happened? well, an SA player was alleged to have punched a ACSI player, an incident that sparked the mass brawl. Of course, that is only one side of the story. The SA player claims that the ACSI player insulted him badly, and might have even been the one who showed the first signs of aggresion. Furthermore, as though the on-pitch fighting was not enough to settle their urge to throw punches and hurl insults, two ACSI boys were assaulted at the busstop nearby, this time by a group of SA boys. Sad to say, this unimaginable incident did happen, and now we are left to reflect on what has become of sport.

  In this current world, surely sport has become too competitive? Since when has one taken part in sport "only to win, and to win at all cost"? However, looking at it, that is the case currently. As though attempts to cheat in sports are not enough, unsportsman-like behaviour occurs when players lose. Fighting, hurling insults, ranting at umpires, just to name a few. Have we forgotten what the true meaning of sport is? This incident surely raises a few questions about whether the true meaning of sport is instilled in us sportmen.

  Sport is merely an enjoyment, a pastime that many enjoy. Competition breeds progress, and these so-called friendly competitions between schools are suppose to inspire and motivate each and every sportsman to improve one's own abilities. However, students are also hard-pressed to do well in these competitions, by parents, coaches and teachers. This might be the root of the problem. This determination to win has gone a step too far due to the pressure to produce results, and hence all this unsportsmen-like behaviour starts surfacing. So, what can be done to counter this alarming growing trend?

  Firstly, coaches should make it a point to educate students on not only the importance of striving for victory, but being gracious in accepting defeat. Also, coaches and schools should recognise those that have really gave it their all in both practices and matches, instead of rewarding only those who perform exceptionally well as "trying your best at all times" is a great value.  By doing so, I think such apalling acts that disgrace sport will no longer be witnessed.

  We must act before it is too late, and sport begins it rapid descent from a pastime that improves ones moral values to a pastime that only trains ones fitness, and nothing else.