There’s an old saying that while success has many fathers, failure is an orphan.
As soon as a child develops a cognitive mind, his parents begin to impress it on him or her, through subtle reinforcement, that in life, winning is everything, or like some would say-the only thing. While it’s not wrong to instill the desire to win in children, parents must be careful lest their children grow to perceive the world as battle theatre where victory must be secured by hook or crook.
In his famous letter to his son’s teacher, Abraham Lincoln sought to correct this mindset; he emphasized the eminence of fairness over victory; “Teach him to learn how to gracefully lose, and enjoy winning when he does win…10 Cents earned is of far more value than a dollar found…it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat.” he wrote; he also entreated the teacher to teach his son “that there can be glory in failure and despair in success
However, in our world today, it will be easier to find a virgin in a maternity ward than find people that will take the Lincoln road. Impelled by the overpowering desire to win, people do not hesitate to bend rules and aim below the belt. Recently, an incredibly brazen deployment of a win-by-all-means tactic confounded football lovers across the globe.
The incident played out in a recent World Cup qualification match between France and The Republic of Ireland. The game went into extra time and in the 103rd minute of the allotted time, the desperation of the French found expression. Henry Thierry, a French striker, controlled the ball twice with his hand before crossing to William Gallas who netted the ball. The goal put France past Ireland by 2-1.
Perhaps, the Irish would have been consolable if they were schemed out through a clandestine manipulation; unfortunately, they weren’t. They were robbed in broad daylight, or perhaps broad floodlight and in the range of scores of camera lenses. Their reaction was volcanic; Irish authorities denounced the outcome and clamoured for a rematch and outraged Irish fans launched a stinging attack against Thierry Henry.
While the blaze raged, some French officials made unpersuasive attempts at explaining away the incident. The protagonist, Thierry Henry reminded his questioners that he wasn’t the match referee (He later apologised and joined in the call for a rematch) while the coach of the French side, Raymond Domenech, called their victory a miracle and claimed he didn’t see the incident.
Obviously, Thierry Henry, Raymond Domenech and other French officials of their ilk, were fixated on the World Cup ticket. Their utterances demonstrated that to these French citizens, playing in the 2010 World Cup was a feat that must be achieved by fair or foul means.
But another group of French citizens thought differently, the group was the association of French sports teachers-SNEP-FSU. They roundly condemned Henry Thierry Henry’s action and Raymond Domenech’s comments “SNEP condemns and challenges statements by coach Raymond Domenech and some of his players, saying that the main thing in sports is to win…all these comments are unfortunately linked to a ‘very modern’ philosophy stipulating that in all areas, including sports, the end justifies the means” the union said. What was even more striking about the group’s censure was the reason for their dissension. They were deeply concerned that if France cheated her way to the World Cup, then a very wrong example would have been set for French children.
While their compatriots were blinded by the allure of gold, the teachers chose to abide by the wise counsel Lincoln offered many years ago. It was so inspiring to behold adults who realise that they have an obligation to set the right kind of example for children.
Parents, guardians and other persons, who are role models to children, should always remember that their actions serve as a moral compass for their children. A parent, who comes home drunk or who pays a proxy to write an examination for a child is guilty of filicide. Parents must always teach their children that forthrightness is its own reward and emphasise the negative consequences of cheating. While celebrating success, parents should also recognise good effort and tenacious attempt
It may be hard to predict the fortune of the French team in the World Cup, but there’s no telling that win or lose, there’ll be no victory for the French. Should they win, they’ll have a tough time unstrapping the yoke of illegitimacy and if they lose, there’ll be a short supply of sympathy for them. Definitely, they’ve cheated themselves into an awfully tight corner.
For Mr. Henry, he has earned himself a lion share of the “despair in success”. The page has turned on his unblemished reputation as a quintessential sportsman. He has today become the global mascot for foul play.
I can hazard a guess as to how Abraham Lincoln would have reacted to Mr. Henry’s abracadabra - he would have shaken his head disapprovingly and reminded Mr. Henry that it is by far more honourable to wear an acquired straw hat than sport a stolen crown.
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