Searching for a better way out

At most sporting events, there is always that forewarning and often an appeal for discipline to reign throughout the duration of the competitions.

The matter of ill-discipline has become the fear factor for many sporting organizations, as it is a bad selling point for any promotion and acts as a deterrent for corporate entities to be attracted to put their monies into sponsorship of such competitions.{{more}}

Likewise, acts of behaviour which work against the accepted norms of conduct are turn-offs to genuine spectators who value sports as a means for social interaction and as an exposition of physical and mental God-given talents.

Locally, several tournaments or different sporting types have suffered the indignity and fallouts from instances of ill-discipline.

So, whilst football has been the wash pot for such incidences and expected as casual, netball and even the noble cricket, the “gentleman’s game,” have had their status dented too, and could not escape the net of cover.

The gatekeepers of the sport of cricket here have to begin to nip it in the bud, as players are pushing the boundaries.

Following an on field fight between two players of the opposing teams at the commencement of the 2012 national competition, things are seemingly deteriorating from the sledging to violent threats on others’ lives.

The reality, however, is that ill-discipline has always been and will always be part of the nuances of the wide and wonderful of sports.

But when it degenerates into potential spats and to blows, the alarm bell must be sounded.

It can be deemed unfortunate, but the fact is ill- discipline, when defined in accordance with what is required in a particular setting, is merely a microcosm of wider societal unchecked issues which are played out on the field, the halls or on the courts.

But the parameters set and who sets those boundaries are critical in even beginning to carve out a pathway to a permanent change in attitude.

It is then how such are dealt with and what are the results which emerge that should be paramount.

Often viewed as a negative, behaviours which come to the fore and which are at variance with the codes of the respective competitions, can be used to reverse and assist in shaping those who act them out.

One, however, cannot fight fire with fire and always bring down the hammer on offenders.

It may be an additional option for teams/clubs to put internal codes of conduct systems in place, which can aid in addressing the spill of undesired behaviours on to major national tournaments.

Another self-control mechanism is that of a mentorship programme, which can be instituted by the said teams/clubs’ management set-ups.

Adoption of healthy lifestyles programmes and the likes can be another avenue which can be pursued.

All must, however, not be placed on the players, as teams/clubs hierarchy should model the correct attitudes which are fitting for their charges to emulate.

We have also seen the local constabulary entering teams in most of the community-based softball cricket competitions.

Their presence is serving a two-fold purpose; it forms part of community policing and public relations, as well as on the spot surveillance, whenever they are fixtured.

But while there are some concrete efforts to shape behaviours, on the contrary, local sports organizers of competitions are, more and more, deleting the award for most disciplined team/player from their awards list.

This was an evident missing award at the two recently completed secondary schools’ competitions – netball and football.

Is it a matter of cost reduction by organizers or is it a case of deeming such awards unnecessary and difficult to adjudicate?

It must be always be maintained that many of the participants here in sports lacked the upbringing at their first place of moral training, hence the various teams/clubs and other such organizations have to salvage or find a way to shape what comes before them.

Many have sports as their only avenue of expression, their best period of acceptance and solace, as their teammates become their brothers and sisters, and the coaches and managers, their foster parents. Such is the value of sports.

So, with sports an ideal outlet to develop friendships not enemies, a means of social cohesion, community building and ultimately national development, therefore every effort should be expended on realizing these objectives.