is winning the most important thing in sports?

Blinded by the hard and cold facts of life, it would seem that winning, not just in sports, is everything. The pessimists of the world would only look at all the hard work and training gone down the drain, the disappointment of not being the first, the title of a loser and not a winner even if you came in second. The quote of Damon Hill in the Sunday times also seems to wrap it all up with a rather convincing reason.

“Winning is everything. The only ones who remember you when you come second are your wife and your dog.”

Thus, the greedy and self centered people in this world would only think that winning is the most important thing in sports. However, these people fail to grasp the true essence of sports itself.

If winning was everything in sports, it would mean that every sportsmen and women started training themselves from young and devoting their lives to a certain sport just to win. That does not seem to be the case right? A true sportsman loves and enjoys the game he is playing, which is why he is willing to devote his entire life to that sport. This brings us to one of the true essence of sports. To have a passion for it, and most of all, enjoy it. One will not feel happy in doing something they do not enjoy, so even if their win lands them millions of dollars, it would come to naught as it can’t buy them happiness that every one thirsts for.

If winning was everything in sports, why would the top players of the world compete against each other? Why doesn’t Brazil fight against teams like Singapore in football then? Wouldn’t it be a confirmed victory for Brazil? If winning was everything in sports, everyone would want to play against Singapore and there would be no excitement at all watching the match. What sportsmen want is a challenge, a real test of their skills. Therefore its not the outcome of the sport that is important, but rather how the game is played. The score, after all, is just a figure.

If winning was everything in sports, people would not care for a fair match. Sportsmen could take all the steroids they want, and win, and people would still accept their victory. However in such a case, to whom does the glory go to? It goes to the pack of steroids in your bloodstream. Sportsmen push themselves to the limit, constantly training their body so that the victory they earn would be for them alone and not owed to some underhand means. Knowing that you did your best that you could have done nothing more to clinch that title is what counts, and by then you would gladly salute your victor for being able to do more than what you can. Losing is a priceless lesson on how you can improve yourself.

Sportsmanship is the most important of all in sports. You can be the victor, but if u become arrogant, you lose the respect from your spectators. After all, one must remember that the game would be nothing if you did not have an opponent. Therefore thanking your opponent after a victory is vital, as they have put your skills to the test, and have indirectly given you the gold. And if you lose, you have already lost, so you can either decide to sulk about it or instead feel happy for your opponent.

Sure, winning would be important as well, or most sportsmen would not have to aim for anything in a game. winning will drive people to do their best, so i guess that sports and winning would go hand in hand as well. however i feel that winning should not be the most important or the top most pirority, or we would end up losing our self respect in the attempt to win.

overall, i feel that winning is the most important for the greedy sportsman, but playing the game well is the most important for the true sportsman.

"you cant screw me now"- kenneth lo