OOPS, don’t get me wrong. It’s not what you think. I’m not talking about sizes. But, if you mean egos, well, that’s more like it.
The ball I’m referring to here is basketball. What’s with basketball that makes the sanest of men go crazy? Do we have to go to the extreme of intentionally hitting each other? I understand you can’t avoid physical contact in such a demanding sport. However, there’s a notable difference between intentional and accidental. And where do you draw the line?
Or do you draw the line when it has already reached the point of being an ego game? It hurts your ego if you don’t become number one. And it usually results in this kind of situation when you play among peers in the same industry.
Companies regularly hold sports fests among colleagues. Sometimes, it’s inter-company, and that's where the excitement begins. It's supposed to foster camaraderie among employees. Today, it has become like an NBA competition. Is it because you all belong to the same industry where being number one is a coveted prize?
Or is this what I mentioned earlier as an ego game? Ego, per se, is good. In the context of sports, a healthy ego drives satisfactory performance, but an inflated ego can lead to conflicts or poor teamwork.
Another observation I've seen is the old-school clique. Alma Mater matters. Even if you are on opposing teams, the old-school clique prevails. This clique mentality, combined with inflated egos, often escalates the intensity and sometimes even the aggression of the games.
Let me paint a picture for you. There’s a basketball tournament. Most of the players in all teams belong to the same school and have been playing together for, let's say, more than five years. Here comes a rookie. A good one at that, but unfortunately, he's from a different school and another place. It just so happens he works in the city like the other players.
At the back of their minds, “No one dares play better than us. You’re the new kid on the block. Know your place.” That might be an exaggeration, but I'm putting things in perspective to give you a clearer idea. It's akin to bullying in the guise of sports because, as they all say, it's all in the name of the game, and men will always be men.
And what is it with being men? Do we throw manners out the window because we are men? Let’s make ego work for us. It should fuel team spirit and performance among teams, not cause division. Let’s redefine what it means to be men—strong, respectful, and united.
