Sports nurture virtues such as accountability, collaboration, strategic thinking, equality, and respect, which are foundational to a well-rounded character. The field, court, or track often serves as a classroom, where students learn to honor rules, work in teams, think with agility, and uphold the principles of fairness and respect.

We must also realize that sports serve a dual purpose—it helps to combat prevailing societal challenges. Our increasing struggles with non-communicable diseases, mental health disorders like depression, and illicit activities such as drug trafficking can be significantly mitigated through sports engagement.

On a professional front, we eagerly anticipate the performance of our athletes preparing for the upcoming Asian Games in China this September. Simultaneously, we have the FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, ready to engage our Bhutanese football aficionados. And closer to home, the Bhutan Premier League is set to kick off, despite the friction witnessed last season between players, coaches, and referees, which left a sour taste for many fans—a sentiment widely shared on social media.

Sports, like life, isn’t devoid of controversy and rivalry. Emotions can run high, leading to outbursts and actions that can’t be undone. Even the world’s top sportspeople, with all their international experience, can lose their cool. Yet these instances remind us of the human element in sports, that people are fallible.

However, the lessons learned from these experiences are important. They underscore that winning isn’t everything and a team that showcases poor sportsmanship paints an unfavorable image of their nation. It’s not just about how well you play, but also how you play.

World Cup matches constantly remind us of the importance of maintaining a sportsmanlike demeanor. The battlefield of sports is no place for a duel with referees or opponents, even when we feel wronged. Such behavior could spell the end of our participation and ultimately, the team’s prospects.

As we move forward, it’s crucial to emphasize that our actions on the field—whether on home soil or abroad—are reflective of our character. This is why we promote sports among our youth—it’s a fertile ground for character building. Major tournaments may come and go, but the values we nurture through sports must guide our everyday actions and decisions.

In the grand scheme of things, let us remember that sports is more than just games—it’s a potent vehicle for instilling critical values in our younger generation, thus shaping a more conscientious and responsible society.