The Momma Clan

Recently I happened to watch a walking competition held at a nearby park near our house. One of our close friends was one of the organizers of that event. He requested to come and watch and cheer the participants. It was a change for us and to meet people.

One of our relatives was in the 60-plus group. A good gathering of all the age groups of men and women had gathered in the park. The chairs were there to relax and watch the excited ladies and gents lining up when their names were called upon.

I wondered in some groups, like 40 to 50, some walked who were above 50. I felt it was unfair. The walking track had a small width and it was difficult for some to take over lead. 

If only 8 people in a group were teamed, it would have been a fair chance for many. Well, it was for fun and to awaken people to be active in their lives. They could have divided the participation and could have conducted in two days.

Attending this, I went back to my teaching years in the 90s at Don Bosco School in Patna. We used to arrange games and  had to listen to some parents, ” There was an error in choosing the right child, my child came first and it was not a fair competition.”

It was a tough time to make them understand that it was a game after all. We wanted all the children to take part and take an interest in sports.

But the human mind is such that, their child should excel in everything. Misjudgement happens 
to pick up the winners. No one does It purposely. All the children are the same for any teacher. 

The game should be conducted with a good spirit to boost the children to take part.

We used to conduct running races in our complex. Four to five ladies volunteered to arrange everything and used to have meetings and decide how to distribute the different responsibilities to people. To draw the lines starting and finishing lines. The young children gladly helped us.

Normally we have a fete arranged on Republic Day and all gathered down in our complex. Many put up their stalls of different dishes.

The participants were arranged age-wise in different categories and two people were assigned to take care of them and get them ready. More than the children, their parents get tensed as though their kids are taking part in an Olympic game.

Well, the 1st group of kids were lined up and two people were ready with a rope to pick up the winners. The moment the whistle blows, the kids run and the winners are picked up and their names were noted down by the person assigned to that work. Some parents start cribbing,” Mera beta 1st aaya, cheating hua.” and the organizer had to pacify them,” It is ok there are
people to see all is right.”

No one can please all. If there are more participants in any age group, they should make more groups in that group. You cannot mix different age groups people in any group. It would be unfair to the older people.

A game well conducted boosts many to take part.

I have seen our grandson taking part in skating. He has won many medals gold, silver and bronze. He is too good. His master is strict and puts in a lot of hard work to see him win. Organizing the game is not easy. He has gone to many venues. But hard work paid off too.

Winning or losing is a part of any game but it should be fairly conducted as far as possible.

Enjoy the game. Do not crib and spoil the mood.

-Poornima Sivaraman