Yesterday we played a nail biting game against a highly respected opponent. We had met them in an earlier round where our boys were defeated 4-1. When the teachers and boys recounted the game to me, they had nothing but respect for their opponents. Their level of game play had risen significantly since we last met them.
We met them again in the finals yesterday. To be honest, all I was looking for was to avoid a crushing defeat. If we could go down 2-3 – that would have been a victory. When I saw the game – I remembered how shallow I was to think only in those terms.
The entire game was a victory.
We were down 0-2 after the first two games. The third game, on paper was ours (our one point!) and we got it. The next two games was important.
The fourth game was our second doubles. We were down – trailing – I don’t remember the exact score but it was something like 13 – 7 at one point. Along the way, our boys crossed the psychological 10 point mark and after that went all the way and won that game. Bolster by that first set, they went on to take the second one as well. We were now 2-2. It would have been over otherwise.
I had no doubt that one major factor was the discipline and level of support of our supporters. They were behind me and they were cheering and making noise! I was impressed by them. Deeply impressed by their show of discipline. There were times when their cheering got slightly out of hand (nothing vulgar to be sure!). I turned around, made a hand signal, and they knew what to do. To be honest, even as I made the hand signal, I couldn’t tell how many of them saw it and if they understood – but they did. They are wonderful boys who knew how to behave!
The final game, our third singles was now the deciding. As the final singles players walked in, I reflected how we entered the game – thinking only of not being crushed, now it was possible that we might win. The whole crowd was behind us. Our rugby boys who had just completed training, joined us. Adding to the disciplined crowd of supporters we had. The supporters made a difference – they made a world of difference.
Our player took the first set – not easily. The opponent was ahead. He was 19 points, our player met him at 19 from 15 and then crossed to take that first set. The second set was a little less nerve-wrecking. In the midst of the game there was a dubious call on the line but both players took it in their stride (I can’t remember the details now).
The game was finally over… and yes… we won. But I realized winning is really really transient. We are champions (and this is just the zone) until we are not. What was more amazing was the level of competition.
Our opponents are great and they will be greater and I feel sometimes, our contribution in sports is how we push each other to be more than ourselves – to achieve what we thought was impossible.
I had also learnt that despite the odds, handwork, belief can get you past those odds. The only thing about sports, especially one like badminton where you are up against an opponent – overcoming the odds means that they didn’t, which is not such a nice thing if you are the other side.
Winning is important, yet transient, yet, in the larger scheme of things is not the critical part of sport – in my opinion. Everything else that went on – in the courts, during the training, in the gallery was.
A photograph after the game. Zonal Champions for B Division and third placing for C Division.
