The Value of Sports

I normally listen to the news while driving on my way home.

Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, the longest reigning junior lightweight division boxing champion (7 years and 3 months), was formally honored into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, and that the award was received by his wife, Laura.

But what struck me the most were the words spoken by the key people in the event, as follows:

Gabriel "Flash" Elorde
Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FlashElorde.jpg

"What is important is to understand the hardships in training, hardship in discipline, which are all important. Sacrifice."
- Laura Elorde



Image Source: http://www.dzmm.com.ph/Portals/_default/Skins/DZMM/anchors/anchor-freddie_webb.jpg

"To sacrifice, putting everything ahead, first the country, and then later on, the profession."
-Freddie Webb, former Senator and member of Philippine Basketball Team to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games



1954 Philippine National Basketball Team
Image Source: http://www.istorya.net/forums/basketball/128686-all-about-philippine-basketball-team.html

"The main ingredient is to love the sport. Some people are just playing for money."
-Tony Genato, member of the Philippine Basketball Team to the 1954 World Championship
(placed 3rd, which is the best ever finish by an Asian nation)



http://www.seasite.niu.edu/trans/tagalog/modules_in_Tagalog/jawo.gif

"Whatever your last name is, you can never be bigger than the word -DISCIPLINE. Therefore, you've got to toe the line, you've got to follow the rule, you've got to follow authority, and this is precisely what life is all about."
-Robert Jaworski, former Senator and member of the Philippine Basketball Team
(won the Gold Medal in the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation)



Image Source: http://www.govph.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/PUNO1-300x229.jpg

"The true character we need today, amidst doubts that arise from defeats: discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship. and a never-say-die attitude."
-Reynato Puno, Chief Justice and former sports editor of the UP's Philippine Collegian

Growing up, I always wanted to be serious in sports, to learn and experience first hand what they've said. However, I wasn't given the opportunity to spend time and excel in the sports I grew up with.

I'm happy I'm now into running, and I can now relate to what they are saying.

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