KAYIU DIG IT: The Value of Being a “Good Sport”

KAYIU WONG
Staff Writer

As athletes, it is natural that we strive to win and beat our opponents. However, there is always a fine line between losing a game and losing your cool. This is where the value of sportsmanship comes in because playing fairly and competing courteously is one of the most critical lessons we learn from being an athlete.

Sportsmanship is having the sincerity to respect and be gracious to your opponents, regardless of the outcome. It is the nutshell of sports conduct. Because athletes constantly have to follow regulations and rules, we are able to fully grasp the lesson of “treat others the way you want to be treated.” It just goes to show that sports will always be more than just talent.

Personally, hearing “It isn’t about winning” from my coach epitomizes what it means to be a good sport and a greater athlete. It motivated my team to run with one true incentive: honor. You do not have to win all the time; it is more about teamwork and how you behave after the game. If you play against your rival and win, you do not have the right to boast excessively. If you lose, pouting and blaming is not going to get you anywhere.

As individuals, we all have our own interpretations on what sportsmanship means, but regardless, it upholds the values of sports. It beats out strength, endurance or any other physical attribute, because sportsmanship means having the power to stay composed in dubious situations to maintain your integrity and honorable image.