What started initially as a “lambing” to two seasoned “lodis” four years ago, has now become a weekly test of patience, discipline and humor. Yes, because we can’t take life seriously that much especially with trolls, who hide behind fake names, photos and other forms of anonymity they mistake for bravado and courage.
It has been a struggle, to say that it was a roller coaster ride would be an under statement. The patience came in buckets, which The Designated Kit Man had no idea where it came from. The criticisms and discouraging tones, too, were many. Which are expected. There will always be someone or something that will not agree and will have a different opinion on what I write, especially on the sport many of us love. I know this is a bit of a stretch because football remains a poor cousin to basketball and volleyball in our country, but indulge me.
Friendships were tested. Many were lost along the way, but then again those which matter most have remained. We, however, found new friends along the way. Parents, players and others who share our passion for football, our yearnings for the sport to prosper in a country where basketball is a religion, and for our national teams to get the recognition and the glory they deserve.
It has been a historic year for football. Three national teams reached the last four in the just concluded 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. The Under-22 had two chances of securing a podium finish, but couldn’t convert on the opportunities. Still a major accomplishment considering that the last time the Philippines got out of the group stage in the biennial games, they were not born yet. And the victories against Myanmar and Indonesia were equally unforgettable.
The Philippine National Women’s Football Team has surmounted all the challenges thrown to them, on and off the pitch. While football is a team sport, the Filipinas proved beyond argument that individually, they could shine, too, on their own. The penalty shootout against the former champions, Vietnam, is for the ages.
The Filipina5 did well too in futsal despite several concerns raised by some players.
Like we always say, there is no shortcut in football. Inna Palacios is a good example and living testament to this. It took her 18 years of sacrifice, service, patience, faith and buckets of sweat and tears to reach the pinnacle of Southeast Asian football, but she never gave up. Our sports officials, not only those in Mt. Canley, can learn a lot from Inna.
We sent the biggest delegation ever in the Bangkok SEA Games and yet we still placed sixth overall. Which is quite an accomplishment if we are to believe that the goal all along is to place fifth. We garnered fewer gold medals compared to the previous SEA Games and yet those who were responsible for this debacle would want us to believe otherwise. Our sporting officials were quick to claim that we got the gold in sports that matter most. Yes, because of the great efforts from Alex Eala, EJ Obiena, the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, the beach volleyball squad of Bernadeth Pons, Sisi Rondina, Flo Rodrigez and Sunny Villapando, Kayla Sanchez and women’s swimming team, the Filipinas and the rest of our athletes, who won their respective events in Thailand. But following this logic, can we say that there are sports that do not matter at all?
I just feel sorry that “batukan” is not a medal sport in the SEA Games. Otherwise we have a sure gold medal winner in the event. Sorry it’s not you, Whang-od.
It is our fervent hope that we should raise the bar of expectations when it comes to the SEA Games. We should not be satisfied with just targeting 5th place or worse, claiming that we got more silvers and bronze medals and tons of what if’s and what could haves. We should do better in the next SEA Games.
Going back to this column, while the challenges and concerns are real and most of the time this may appear absurd and thankless, I would rather look at the positives, however few like keeping some of our secret followers on their toes come Friday midnight and reminding them that leading the sport not only comes with perks, but rather with sacrifice, empathy and hubris too. And to live rent-free in their minds is another perk, too.
I could only think of Sisyphus and that colossal rock that he has to bring on top of the mountain, only to let it roll back on the ground and begin the process all over again. Yes it is absurd, meaningless, too, in a way. The triumph, however, lies in every step, in the struggle of doing things all over again and again.
For this, we should imagine that Sisyphus is happy.
Merry Christmas!
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
