Tournament Day
Each day is an excellent opportunity to try something new and push you into challenging areas to test one’s capability as well as widening the horizons. Challenges are an integral part of life, and we all face challenges at some point. The most pleasuring time is when one overcomes the problem, It is truly fascinating how successful people approach challenges, where others see an impenetrable barrier; successful people are always determined to win. Confidence and determination in the face of a challenge drive away negativity that holds us down and back. Overcoming a challenge needs both determination and a positive mindset, this mindset requires emotional intelligence. In my life, I have had various challenges both in society and at school. Still, one of the unforgettable challenges that I vividly remember was about winning a football match against a stronger team for my school. This was a real challenging time in my life; when everyone is pushing you to win, and you don’t know-how.
From my childhood, I loved playing football. I played football every day with my siblings, childhood friends, and local clubs. I fancied about becoming a great footballer. I played it on the streets, at home, and school. My love for football can be traced back to my childhood times when I was about six years. My father bought a ticket to watch the finals of a local tournament; I picked a team that would win; not because I knew the players but because I loved their jersey. They won. Since then, football becomes an indissoluble part of my life, my father bought me a ball, and I started playing it. As I grew older, I loved the sport more, with my friends who had developed the same affection with football, we formed a local team. We received sponsorship from local authorities, and we competed in various competitions both locally and nationally. We won several games and lost a few.
In my school, there were football competitions held each year. I was part of the team. We competed very well in various tournaments. When I in the 9th class, I faced the biggest challenge of my life. During the yearly competition, we were placed in the same group with one of the strongest teams in the region. All my teammates were shocked; we were going to lose the match. We were destined to lose the game since some of the best players from our team had left, two of the brilliant game makers from our side were sick, and our couch had traveled oversea. We lost all hope; we were going to lose. Everyone was sacred. All my team members were torn between playing the match to lose or not play at all and safeguard the reputation. Nobody was ready to shame our school. I gained courage; I knew we would win if we prepare well. I, therefore, faced this challenge with determination and all the positivity it required. I mobilized my team and encouraged them; we were going to play against the team with all the determination and energy left in us.
We started to practice for the tournament. We practiced for a whole week; the school helped us to hire the best coach in the locality to train with. Towards the homestretch, we cleaned the football pitch and were arranged in readiness for the tournament. The game was played on 12 March 2009; I was only 14 years old then. On this day, I saw many people that I had never seen before. People from all parts of the region arrived to witness the game. We were live on local TV. I was scared but still determined. The winning team would get a gold medal, and all my teammates were determined to get the title.
Hardly 15 minutes into the game, I accidentally stepped on a brick, rolled down, and terribly injured my right leg. I felt so much pain and could barely run. The officiating team urged me to leave the match, but I insisted since our team had no substitute player to replace me. I continued to play despite the overwhelming pain. We played competitively, and I got a good chance. The opponent team members were almost winning the match; they were all at our half with the strikers focusing on scoring us. With the pain and the confusion I had, I was perplexed. Luckily, I got a chance. One of my teammates won the ball and strokes it directly to me; the opponent defenders were far away; I assumed the pain and ran towards the goal. I stroke with all my energy and scored a goal. I was delighted until I couldn’t feel the pain any longer, later our team was crowned winners, and we were given the gold medal.
When I remember this day, I have never been challenged in my life like on this particular match. This match taught me a lesson that I will never forget in my life; ‘no challenge is big with determination.’ In life, we face various challenges, but with determination, one can overcome the challenge and win.