Joy of Losing?

Zarina Khan

When Zarina Khan left her home in a hurry last Sunday (see post), naturally her son and grandchildren were curious. She does not usually step out on a Sunday morning. “I am going to the Garden,” she said excitedly. “Didn’t you know today is our Sports Day?”
Two hours later she returned, crestfallen and exhausted. Everybody crowded around her, wanting to know what happened. “What did you win?” her little grandson asked. “Luddoo,” she snapped and slumped on the sofa.
Narrating the incident this morning, Zarina said how embarrassing it can be to appear a loser in front of children. “I started getting calls from my other sons and their children in America and Qatar,” she narrated. “It is a big thing that their dadi was taking part in sports. Every time I had to cut a sorry figure saying I got nothing. You people could at least have given me

Shekhawat (l) and Nahid Khan (r) are not too happy

a consolation prize.”
Nahid Khan faced an almost similar situation at home, more so after she had bagged a first prize last year. “You cannot expect us to compete with youth,” she said pointing at Nand Ram and Saeeda Sayed. “This is not fair. We should have a separate category for them.”
Nand Ram promptly jumped up to argue that with practice, Nahid could also be a winner only to be interrupted by Shekhawat. Mimicking a hobbling old man bent double, he challenged Nand Ram to win anything when he turns 80. “You will need a walking stick when you are my age,” he explained. “Forget about winning any prize.”
But Zarina had a different take. “Better to separate men from the ladies,” she suggested. “In all competitions this is the rule. Men should compete with men and women should compete with women. Otherwise I can never hope to win any prize in my lifetime!”
If anything, these conversations establish one basic fact: the way Sports Day has come to dominate our consciousness in a short time (actually, one year) is incredible. More importantly, a realisation has set in that winning here is no walkover. You’ve got to be good. And deserving.

Bihari Milwani:
Since we have an extra day this year (2020 being a leap year) we might as well hold one more Sports Day!

Karun Sharma:
Let us create a world where everybody is happy and rewarded. It was a well-organised sporting event where everybody did his/her best to participate. End result should be such that everyone is happy.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
The most important aspect of a sports event is taking part. WE ALL HAVE TAKEN part in every discipline. We all felt happy and enjoyed the experience. But not everyone who participated could win a medal. The enjoyment comes from participation. Those excluded may be lucky to win a prize next time.