Sportsmanship

The sporting spirit or sportsmanship lies in playing the game rightly.  Sportsmanship is the spirit which inspires the true and the ideal sportsman. If a sportsman is worth his salt he would play the game in an upright and conscientious manner. Further, as in a game, similarly in life, an individual shows the sporting spirit of fair dealing and truth-seeking.

Qualities of a sportsman

It is the firm determination to stick to fair play at all cost is what distinguishes a sportsman from other people. A true sports man would never dream of scoring unfair advantage over his adversary. If he breaks a rule in playing a game he would be the first to point it out to the referee. He would always bear in mind that the interests of truth or honesty are never are to be sacrificed while playing for a particular side

Like a stoic he would look upon victory or defeat with equal indifference. Another characteristic of a sportsman is that he displays a great gusto for the game. He tries his best to make the game an exciting affair. He cares a little whether he is the captain or the extra member of the team. He is never ambitious of distinguishing himself at the cost of other members of his team.

He is liberal enough to realize that every member should be given an opportunity to win laurels. Another test by which we can know a sportsman is his attitude towards his opponents. He never nurses a grudge against his adversary or hates them like a fanatic. If he fails to win a victory he does not loath to shake hand with them at the end of the game.

Sportsmanship in history

He will certainly congratulate them on their superior skill and would praise the members who gave a good account of themselves. The most reliable test of sportsman is the manner in which he looks at failure. It is obvious that every man can afford to be cheerful when he is scoring points. Only a sportsman can play a losing game with courage and perseverance.

He never loses his temper or heart if he repeatedly fails to defeat his adversary; nor does he grow indifferent towards the game. He fights it to a finish and never allows his enthusiasm to cool down. In fact, he enjoys his defeat as thoroughly as he does his victory.

History provides us with a number of instances of true sportsmen. Louis XVI when he was being led to the scaffold looked wonderfully composed and collected. Undeniably he was a sportsman for even death had no terror for him.