Universe: How to treat victory and defeat
Every religion teaches humility and calm. We are prone to disregard these in the heat of the moment
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The year was 1975. India won the hockey World Cup by defeating Pakistan. I was a student of ninth class at the time and remember listening to the running commentary of the final match on radio. Jasdev Singh was a very popular commentator among sports lovers because of his soothing voice. As the final whistle blew, we children danced on the streets. After the victory of the hockey team, another surprise awaited us. The hockey team visited my hometown Malerkotla.
All the players were part of a victory parade in the form of a procession through the main bazaars of the town. Each player stood in an open jeep. We were extremely happy and our hearts swelled with pride at seeing the players up-close.
People were showering flower petals from the rooftops. We kept on running after the jeeps. Finally, a programme was held at the stadium. Apart from the local MLA, Punjab’s Sports Minister Umrao Singh participated. This programme consisted of songs and cultural activities, besides speeches by political leaders.
The 1975 victory is deeply etched in several Indians’ mind. Just seven years later, an entirely different side of sports fans came to the fore.
In the 1982 Asian Games held in the country, India was a huge favourite to win the hockey gold. Unluckily, the team was beaten all ends up by arch rivals Pakistan by a huge margin of 7-1. The entire nation drowned in mourning and allegations flew thick and fast that the players were not above board. It was sad to hear such charges.
Years later, Bollywood movie ‘Chak De! India’ featuring Shah Rukh Khan tried to capture the hurt and angst the players felt. He depicted goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi, who had to face public wrath after the defeat.
As the movie was released, the electronic media showed interviews of many Indian players of the 1982 hockey team. I remember the legendary Zafar Iqbal, captain of the Indian hockey team, saying this about the defeat in 1982 when asked about it, “Sir, woh haar to ab iss sharir ke saath hi iss duniya se jaayegi (Sir, the impact of that defeat will now go only when this body departs).”
Victory and defeat are part and parcel of sport and of every sportsperson’s career. The wild victory celebrations that are disrespectful to the opposing side, and the shameful public conduct after the home team’s loss are both extreme reactions — bereft of humility, and unnecessary.
In sport as in life, a sense of equilibrium is essential. Every religion teaches humility, respect and calm. We tend to lose every bit of that emotion in the heat of the moment. At least we can try to make amends once the celebrations are over. It’s sport. Today you win, tomorrow the other might. Get over it.
As George Edward Woodberry wrote, defeat is not the worst of failures, not to have tried is the true failure.
— The writer is based in Ludhiana
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