"Wisdom
is the chief and leader: next follows temperance; and from the union of
these two with courage springs justice. These four virtues take
precedence in the class of divine goods.” Plato, The Laws, Bk. I, 631.
But
in a cut-throat, competitive world where money is worshipped and
monetary success is becoming the all-important yardstick for a life
well-lived, are morals becoming an unnecessary hindrance?
Or are fair-play and merit still important in the office and off the pitch?
Sports
are a big part of culture across the world and often play an important
role in our lives - whether one participates at the professional level
or in pick-up games or watches sports on TV.
It
is commonly said that sports build character, but we hear more and more
accounts of un-sportsmanlike, unethical, and even illegal conduct at
all levels of administration and competition.
Levels of competition has increased in recent times but I do not see that as the reason for the decline in values.
On
the contrary, competition propels you to upgrade yourself all the time,
which in turn is useful for the welfare of the society.
The saga of Park Joo Bong went on to emphasise just how unprofessional and unethical the badminton administrators in the countrey have become.
Trying to pich someone who is still legally in contreact and enticing him with a lucrative deal went on to show that ignorance and arrogance have a major role to play towards destroying the very essence sports is played in the first place - as rules of Fair Play are chucked out of the window.
Then you hear of the fact that BAM just whimpered when an NSC official told them that not under any circumstances can the BAM look at appointing a former sports official into their stable.
Now if the NSC officer had actually said it, then BAM should have had the scrotal gumption to say "do not interefere". But it maybe due to the fact that BAM created such an excuse. So who is telling the truth? Frankly there are good story tellers in both organisations.
BAM has more twists then Dallas, Petticoat Junction and Dynasty put together. Right from the Olympic failures they have just gone arounmd promising heaven and earth.
The simplest thing for them to do is pack up and leave.
