Sportsmanship is when you’re supportive of your team. It means not only taking part in sports according to rules prescribed but also playing the game of life in accordance with the spirit imbibed on the playing ground. On the contrary, a man who gives evidence of possessing a strong spirit in the wider sphere of life but has not attained excellence in games is still a sportsman. A true sportsman learns to observe all those rules in life which h has been taught to observe in games. Similarly in whatever sphere of life one maybe, one must aid and be aided by one’s friends if one is a true sportsman.
Sportsmanship implies, first, fair play. It also means that if you lose, don’t get really mad and start saying bad things about the other team you just tell them that they did a good job and be cool with it. In games, if any player plays foul, the side to which he belongs is penalized. Without mutual cooperation, success is impossible. Similarly, in the bigger game of life, one must always be fair in one’s dealings with others. Usually, those who play games develop into true sportsmen because their character is molded by the training they are gone on the field. Fairness, honesty, integrity, the openness of heart and frankness are the qualities that a sportsman must display in life. One should not practice deceptions, should not bluff, should not cheat others and should indulge in diplomacy or humbleness.
Team-spirit is also an important element of sportsmanship. It is evident that sportsmanship is something worthy of admirations. It is conducive to human happiness and welfare. Likewise, in whatever sphere of life one may be, one must aid and be aided by one’s fellows if one is a true sportsman. In games, if any player plays foul, the side to which he belongs is penalized. Similarly in a bigger game of life, one should always be fair in one’s dealing with others. In short, fair play, respect for discipline, recognition of the need for team-work and cheerfulness even in the event of defeat are thus the dominant marks of a sportsman. A sportsman never takes undue advantage of the weakness of his adversary nor does he hit below the bet. Sportsmanship consists in working in full harmony with others.
