When All Hope is Lost

Ellavayne Daquiz

Winning doesn’t come to your side of the court always, at times, you will end up on the losing side. But what are the things we need to hear when our world is starting to fall apart?

“The result of your training will reflect in your game. Hindi dapat iniiyakan yan, dapat magsimula muli at ayusin ang pagkakamali. Balik ulit tayo sa basic.” Coach and 3rd grade MAPEH teacher has this to say to his players whenever he sees his children being disheartened.

If Coach Kenneth sees that this emotion persists among them, he will send his best player a.k.a captain ball to play on the field. “Sinasabi ko lang, ikaw ang captain ball prove to me na hindi ka nila basta matatalo. Dun nagiiba na laro ng bata ko kasi lumalakas na loob nila dahil ang captain ball na nila ang naglalaro.” he noted.

Meanwhile, a tactic that works for another coach, Mr. Niño dela Cruz, is for the players to be allowed to feel – be sad, cry, then move on. “It is okay to be sad, they can even cry in a corner if they wanted to. But it should not be for a long time. They should quickly bring their focus back in the game. Reflect on their strategies and try to know what they did wrong and learn how to overcome it. Losing is part of the game but it should not be a negative moment, it should be a learning experience instead.” Coach Niño recalled.

Losing can cause athletes to be dismayed and somehow, some choose to walk away from the sport that they love, nevertheless, Coach Alma Manalang thinks otherwise. She thinks that sports isn’t just all about the game, it’s more about the journey you’ve gone through and the people you’re with.

“Ang pagsali sa larangan ng sports ay isang malaking oportunidad sa bawat bata para mapaunlad ang tiwala sa sarili, pakikisalamuha sa kanyang kapwa bata, at sa murang edad matutunan na niya maging responsable, makiisa at makipagtulungan sa kanyang mga team mates.” said Coach Alma.

“Sa bawat kompetisyon na sasalihan ay may pagkakataong manalo o matalo. Kung di man palaring manalo, ito ay magsisilbing learnings at maganda experience sa bawat bata. Ang mahalaga pinakita at ibinigay nila ang best nila, buo ang loob at tapang sa pakikipaglaban sa bawat games nila. Sa bawat pagkatalo, gawin nila itong challenge at inspirasyon upang muling babangon at lalong mag pupursige sa pagsasanay para mas maging mahusay at handa sa susunod na laban na kanilang kakaharapin. Maging laging positibo. Laban lang para sa tagumpay!” she jested.

Life is like a sport, there will be winning season and losing season. And even if you lose at times, always remember that you should keep the faith and believe that there are greater things than any we leave behind. Press on, move forward.