Learning from our mistakes

The year is almost over and as we look back at the hits and misses we had in 2006, I hope we learn to move on instead of just wallow in our sorrows over what could have been.

Our country did well in the Asian Games, we did well in billiards, some of our golfers did well also and so did many other athletes.

Manny Pacquiao once again proved he can unite the country, but of course that does not qualify him for an elective position.

There were heartbreaks when our world boxing champions lost or when many of our bets to the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar did not do as well as we expected. All that are part of the continuing learning process and are reasons for us to strive harder.

I would not say our sports leaders are not doing enough. In fact some of them are overdoing things and they're not anymore good for their sport.

Locally, one perfect example of failing to learn their lesson are the towns that continue to refuse to take part in the Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup for whatever reason.

It is actually their loss, but then I also pity their constituents, who lost an opportunity to display their skills that could get them scholarships in the major schools in the city.

There are however many hits like the series of successful football festivals that boosted the stock of the sport in Cebu.

I understand that there are more lined up for the coming year and that's something that we're eager to see in 2007.

Dancesport was again a big hit for 2006. The wins in the United States proved that we must concetrate our efforts on sporting events where height and might are not factors that would be to our disadvantage.

The list of hits and misses can go on and on, but the point here is not just listing them down, but learning from what have been and most specially what had not been.

I saw a short movie about a race that and how a young boy almost gave up when he fell flat on his face three times during a cross-country event.

It was a moving short clip about triumph over adversity or overcoming major challenges to finish what you started.

The boy cried when he fell and almost would not continue, but he thought of his father who was a stern-looking man at the stands wanting him to go on.

When he fell the second time, quitting looked like a good option, but then he again stood up and ran even if he was far behind.

On his third fall, he almost lost all the courage and strength to stand up and continue. He was already way behind and there was not more chance for him to win the race. After a battle between heart and mind, he decided to continue and finished the race last.

However when he reached the finish line, he had an even louder applause from the audience who admired the strength and courage he showed not to quit.

Philippine sports is must like the young boy in the story, we stumble so many times and think of the easy way out.

Or the stumbling blocks could be our grandstanding politicians, who do more harm than good to sports development yet they insist on pouncing further if the athletes are fallen or ride with the fame when the Pinoy bets become victorious.

Let us learn from our mistakes and keep on standing up after each fall and then we move forward bruised, hurt, and probably aching, but wiser.