Japan is about to stage a spectacular rugby world cup 2019. And if you only assume that I refer to results, you may have misunderstood me.
Some figures
Of course, the interstellar competition regrouping the 20 best teams in the world once every four years, will broadcast 48 matches before designating the winner of the Webb Ellis Cup. An event shown in over 200 countries, relayed by 3 000 media, involving 13 000 volunteers and giving to 25 000 disadvantaged children in Asia to benefit from a Child Fund pass – a Children’s Sport for Development Program, the Rugby World Cup (RWC) Charity Partner.
One truth among many others
Beyond these figures, the performance and the money involved, something special is happening. As the world’s best players bid to win rugby’s greatest prize, this competition will allow us to focus on some fundamentals of this sport that are respect, humanity and fair play.
While respect is a keystone to the functioning of our societies, it has hidden toxicity behind it. In recent history, the definition of respect has been manipulated over the years and has ultimately, caused many powerful people to completely disregard the human self which in turn creates chaos in society today.
Respect: a fundamental right
If we look at the concept as spiritual beings, respect is a right held by all living things that should be honored, esteemed and regarded by everyone at all times. It is not demanding. It does not encompass judgement from human customs and values. It is the capacity of seeing beyond our limitations and the human condition to the positive life force in every living thing. – Sacha
Respect should be attributed to what is true and not what is temporary. And the game of rugby doesn’t permit disrespect: none of the players can hide, cheat or misbehave while on the pitch. Ever better, RWC doesn’t allow disputes with the referees and officials never face mouthful of abuses or silly quarrels from the players, nor their managers.
Japan as an international scene
And what could be a better place than Japan to show us what respect is all about. A nation where in everyday life, people treat and talk to strangers with such a big level of respect that one might think that it’s impossible not to make friends from strangers.
During my time in the UK, one wise old man’s saying hit me: “Don’t hit a man when he’s down”. It is a magical phrase to stop an Englishman if he is vindictively pursuing an advantage; he at once feels ashamed.
If bad sportsmanship sours the experience, participants can miss the benefits of sports. Great sportsmanship* inspires all of us, in fact there is research to say it improves performance on the pitch* (and financial achievement off the pitch).
So here’s come this Rugby World Cup, as it is about to generate: a lot of skills, strength, passion, grit, and competition. Not to mention a fair bit of humanity via sport and respect. “Bring it on!”
*For amazing short stories about sportsmanship in rugby, see PR Smith’s Great Sportsmanship Programme – www.GreatSportsmanship.org – scroll down the categories to ‘Rugby’ or just click here.
