Undergraduate / Issue of importance essay: Dishonesty in Sports! [5]

Dishonesty in Sport

After the eighty-nine minutes of exhausting running the score was still zero-zero. As the clock stuck ninety I was dribbling the ball, and slithering my way down the green pitch. The defenders were hot on my tail and the clock was winding down. I went past two defenders but the third one stole the ball within moments. My pride was hurt but I was not going to let them get away with it. I gave chase and finally in our penalty box I had my man cornered. I moved as fast as I could like a snake pouncing on its prey I had slid under the offensive player and stole the ball. No contact with his legs at all yet the whistle was blown as he, seemingly untouched, fell on the ground. That penalty kick cost us the game to qualify for the playoffs. We had lost because of a diver, and a cheat.

I love the sport of soccer, and any other sport that can be played competitively. However, the level of foul play in these sports is an issue that is dear to my heart. I have always been told that honesty is the best policy, and as child that was what I lived by. However, the older I got the more I realized that many people believe that the best policy is the one where you are the winner. It does not matter whether the sport is a national level soccer game or a pick-up basketball at the local gym.

A Sport can be one of the most important aspects in a person's life. It keeps a person fit and healthy, it gives a feeling of unity and belonging, and most importantly it can fuel goals and dreams. In many countries sports teams have an almost religious following. The players themselves are celebrities and hold a startling amount of influence. They let their passion and love for the game get out of hand and become and obsession to win. Their sins on the field are ruining the sport that people around the world value so much.