I believe that we humans cannot live without belonging to something, and sports is one way to connect with others.
There are branches of our belonging to sports, amazing, aren’t they?! In football, for example, you are at the forefront, belonging to the same sport. Then you belong to one of the clubs that play football in your country or even outside the scope of your country, and not only that, but you, in the first place, have a primary sense of belonging to your country’s national team. In addition, there is belonging to one of the players, like the eternal conflict between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, or Messi and Maradona, and others, because you do not find more conflicts. After all, they are a source of livelihood for many.
One of the conflicts that deserves a particular book to be written about is the conflict between two clubs in Egypt, Al-Ahly and Zamalek. It is a truly strange conflict.
Regardless of all our belonging and differences, why sport? Why did we choose sports in the first place?
I don’t like talking about myself or my past, but why not? In the past, I used to practice karate, judo, handball, and football, and I practiced swimming for a while. If you quickly look at my body, you won’t find an inch without a scratch or an old wound. Not all of it is from sports, of course. Every wound or scar on my skin has a story, and I know all their stories by heart. I learned a different lesson from each story that I did not learn from others.
Photo courtesy Sports Brief
I believe that sports are the ideal choice for several reasons, the first and most important of which is “A sound mind in a sound body.” Other than that, the signs that sports cause us are usually visual lessons that we remember everything about them whenever we see them. You cannot be a good athlete unless you have scars.
One day, I was in a handball training session, and we were practicing physical exercises that were tiring to the point that pushed us to the limit. Then, the coach stopped the exercise, and before we left, he spoke to us and said, “You should not care about your dignity on the field.” Of course, everyone raised shouts of objection, and we asked him: How can one do this? Will he ever give up his dignity and pride? He told us: “Do not let anyone insult your personality or pride.”
Always be harsh with bullies and disrespectful people, but what I mean is that you should not care about your appearance on the field. Do not care about anything, and do not skimp on any drop of sweat on your team. They are your family. If you make a mistake, everyone will bear the blame; if you score a goal, everyone will celebrate with joy.
I have not seen a handball field for a while and have stayed away from playing for a long time, but these words have not left my mind to this day. I owe this man because of what he said.
Now, does anyone know why sports?
