BAPTISM OF FIRE

Our cagers played their third and final match at 2.15 p.m. today. They did badly for all three matches. It was in a way a baptism of fire for our boys. They were playing against Chinese boys who had practically grew up on the basketball courts and who were exposed to the game since primary school. Most of our players only started playing the game when they were in Form Four. Yes, they broke almost all the rules of the games when on court but they kept on playing. The marvellous thing was that many of the players and teachers from the other teams approached Cikgu Ishak to give words of encouragement for the boys to go on playing.

At the end of the match between our school and SMK Dindings, I went to take a picture of the scoreboard. A few of the young spectators asked why I wanted to record the score when my players fared so badly. Well, I told them that what I was interested in was that my boys showed sportsmanship in taking part in a tournament for a game that they have just learnt. To me winning is not everything. What is important is that my boys took part and they learnt something. No doubt it is rather hard medicine to swallow but failure is a part of the learning process. I am sure all the 12 boys who participated would have gained in terms of knowledge, skills and gamesmanship.