IN life, there will always be things that are pleasant to one and unpleasant to others.
Quite by chance, I attended a night-time football game in a closed-up arena and was pleasantly surprised at what I witnessed.
First, let me say up-front that this was my first such spectacular event. I have watched regular football games, both live and on television and I know about small-goal football for warm-ups, or just staying-fit, but I had never witnessed it as entertainment, especially with the additional food, drink and musical aspects.
I was first surprised at the attendance, especially the age group and this new activity gave me a clear indication of how young people have fun.
As for the games, about the ten-or-so matches I witnessed at four-a-side with a goalkeeper and having twenty minutes to shine. I saw, and witnessed, some skillful ball-play, but also noticed the aggression of some players…
I also observed, despite the few barbaric encounters, there were no medical back-ups inside or outside, giving me the impression that being hurt is not seen as a negative, but should be taken seriously.
I am all for fun and competitive sporting events; big or small, but I think it should always be about being skillful, not to hurt each other.
This reminded me of years gone by when CYO, as a formidable football team in these years, had two Brazilian-Lucian family players on their team and because of their skills, many opposing team members did all they could to hurt them, if necessary even breaking their legs, rather than learning from their skills.
It is for that reason I say that nothing has changed, despite all that seems to have changed. We are still aggressive, sometimes crude, vicious, destructive in nature and care little about brotherhood, or collective growth.
I more clearly understand the animosity and hate that exists in some people with that mindset that seeks to destroy. It is like some have become demonized, possessed with negativity. Hatred seem part of their agenda and I sadly wonder when did we become like that — and how were we influenced, or who indoctrinated us, how did we inherit such values and if it will be worsened by the passage of time, or it just is what it is…
I wonder if this generation learnt from the previous one, or is this world-trend thinking. Is getting to the top all about who we can kick-down?
Can we learn to love and respect? Can we see the destruction we cause because of our attitude?
Are we offering any good example to the younger ones? Or is it just too-late because we did not put that stitch in time?
Is the example we see in international sports where refereeing or umpiring is a concern, not worth looking at? Can we not see the bright side of sports?
The global opportunities seem reachable, so why not also see that better conduct and a disciplined mind is more enriching than what we presently practice?
Or just maybe I keep dreaming of a better country that’s no longer here, like the one I grew up in?