The phrase ‘old school’ is loosely bandied around today by the younger generation, often as an accolade after a spectacular display or performance of a seemingly impossible feat by a sportsman/woman. This misplaced use of the term only serves to attract furtive glances or puzzled frowns from the older folks who will then mutter to no one in particular, “Do they have any clue what they are speaking about?”
‘Old school’ is in fact about the adherence to traditional practices or policies, but sadly, several elite members of today’s sporting generation, more so those in leadership positions (and who ought to know better), seem totally oblivious to these values. Hardly a week goes by these days, and there is not yet another report about an unsavoury incident involving a participant at a major sporting event. This list of misdeeds continues to escalate in lockstep with the apparent self-entitlement which the wrongdoers openly wear like some sort of glorified halo.
Last week at the Credit One Charleston Open, Anastasia Gasanova refused to shake hands with Coco Vandeweghe after losing in three sets in the opening round. This unsportsmanlike behaviour is just another ugly occurrence this year in the world of professional tennis. In late February, at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Mexico Open) in Acapulco, Alexander Zverev, currently ranked number three in the world, smashed his racquet at the chair of the umpire. He was so close to injuring the official that he was later disqualified from the tournament, fined and penalised ranking points. At the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, the culprit was Nick Kyrgios, who slammed his racket so hard on the court that it bounced off and came close to hitting a ball boy.
These irresponsible emotional displays by highly paid sportsmen and sportswomen are not restricted to the tennis tour. LeBron James, arguably the best professional basketball player in recent times, is also guilty of an unsportsmanlike act, which in hindsight he should (but most likely couldn’t be bothered) be regretting. In the first round of last year’s NBA playoffs, with his team the Los Angeles Lakers trailing the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter of the fifth game of a tied series, James stormed off the court in a show of total disrespect for the game. In an extremely poor display of leadership, he abandoned his teammates when he was needed, disrespected the officials, his opponents, and the fans.
Here in the West Indies, we have been subjugated to the rants and self-anointments of various titles including ‘Universal Boss’ by Chris Gayle. The former West Indies captain is under the misconception that his ability to hit sixes on today’s shorter boundaries with the modern scientifically developed heavier cricket bat with its thicker edges and larger sweet spot makes him “one of the greatest to ever play the game.” His posting on YouTube of videos in which he castigated former West Indies Captain and teammate Ronnie Sarwan (and which went unpunished by the CWI), has to be among the poorest decisions by a professional West Indies cricketer this century.
The sad part of these examples of poor choices by professional sportsmen and sportswomen is that modern society, rather than condemn these actions – long-term suspensions for grave game misconduct would go a long way to curtailing these tantrums – finds excuses to defend such boorish behaviour and then accepts it as the new norm. This double-edged sword sets the standard for new professionals and simultaneously creates a false impression for youngsters who look up to these sports personalities as their heroes. For the most part, the modern-day athlete is no longer about the team. His/her focus and goals are the attainment of personal milestones, demands for bigger contracts and entitlement. Loyalty to teams or franchises are things of the past, thus fans should learn to curb their intense energy and attachments to players and teams.
Although emotions run high when playing a sport at the highest level, the actions cited are totally unacceptable. If one wishes to instil the old school values of sport in one’s children one will have to do it oneself. Old school practices are respect for the game, its rules and regulations; respect for the officials who oversee the game; respect for yourself and for your opponents, respect for your manager/coach and your teammates; and last but by no means least, respect for the fans and the media.
Where have the Bjorn Borgs and the Barry Sanderses who epitomised ‘old school’ gone? The former was famous for never losing his cool or questioning the officials in his tennis matches. The latter was well liked and respected for his calm disposition after scoring a touchdown (no peeling off of his jersey or wild gyrations) and prompt return of the game ball to the referee, the umpire or one of the five judges. Both were highly regarded for not blowing their own trumpets.