The champ mentality

The Jakarta Post   |  Thu, 07/02/2009 8:43 AM  |  Opinion

Sporting greats share a common mentality that drives them to keep on fighting and never say die. It’s the champion’s mentality that puts them in a class of their own.

The early exit of Persipura Jayapura in the Copa Indonesia final match against Sriwijaya FC on Sunday has therefore tempted us to question the Papuan side’s credentials as the newly crowned champions.

Trailing 1-0, Persipura walked out of the match at Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, Sriwijaya’s home base, after 60 minutes in response to the referee’s decision to red card Ernest Jeremiah. The Persipura striker had disputed the referee’s ignorance of a hand ball call inside the box, which should have awarded the Papuans a penalty and perhaps a crucial equalizer.

The incident not only tarnished the dream final, but also national soccer, which has frequently witnessed players that lust for victory before sportsmanship. There were reports of footballers and supporters attacking a referee and a brawl between players during the game, not to mention clashes between rival supporters.

The Football Association of Indonesia may ban Persipura from the tournament next season following the incident, but the damage has been done. Persipura has the right to dispute the refereeing standard, which remains a cause for concern in the country, but forfeiting the tournament’s final has unveiled the absence of quality that a true champion requires.

An angry Chelsea side endured what they called injustice in their home round of the Champions League semifinals against Barcelona in May. The referee denied the Londoners at least three penalty kicks in the thrilling match that Barcelona won on an away goal rule through Andres Iniesta’s stunning strike.

Chelsea learnt a lesson about how a team with the mentality of a champion deals with the worst case scenario, including poor refereeing. A defeat is a real possibility, but a champion neither expects nor fears it.

Regardless of the disadvantages, great teams or athletes will do what it takes to win and only stop fighting when the game is over.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is another noticeable exemplary of a champion known for his fearless character. He persistently displayed this mentality in his thoughts, words and deeds, even when he fought as an underdog, for which many called him a big mouth.

The way Ali built the mental muscles of a champion won him acknowledgement from his foes and friends, as well as composers Michael Masser and Linda Creed, whose song “Greatest love of all” in 1977 was inspired by the life of the boxing great.

In a bigger picture, the Copa Indonesia final may represent the general state of mind of national athletes, who fall short of the need for bigger achievements. The fact that Indonesia has lost its grip in the Southeast Asian Games despite its abundant talents speaks volume of mentality problems that have prevented them from working harder.

Many athletes rest on the laurels of the National Games, which earn them money and jobs, but they then quickly lose the desire to reach the heights of international success, which of course offers more challenges and requires more effort.

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