I Love Watching Sports, But I’m A Terrible Player

How that’s even possible?

Most of my friends that know me well probably know that I really love watching sports. From soccer, F1 racing, basketball, tennis and more (Even sports I didn’t follow that much, I do watch it sometimes). My friends think, why I always have time watching and following those sports? Is he bored and had nothing to do? Yes, sometimes.

I’m very good at keeping up with sports news. But, in terms of playing the actual sport, please don’t question how bad I am.

In high school, I used to join a Futsal extracurricular (Same to soccer, with a smaller scale field and ball). I was so excited since it’s my dream to finally play a sport that I truly love.

During the practice introduction, my coach asked me “So, what position do you play?”. Immediately I said “STRIKER!”. That’s my favourite position because obviously I wanted to score a goal.

I love soccer since I was a kid, I’ve always been a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. They both play in attacking position and scored many goals, so I want to be like them. Any chance that my friends can call me “Christopher Ronaldo” or “Wayne Reno”?

Well, it didn’t happen.

I’m a terrible player. What I did was waiting in front of the goal and hoping that my friend passes the ball to me and scores instantly. It pisses the whole team, even my coach.

“Hey, you! Come on! It’s a team game! If your team is defending, you need to go back and help them out!”.

I just stood there like a statue. Quite embarrassing and I didn’t progress that further.

The same thing goes to Basketball. I started my basketball course in grade three primary school (Even before I joined my futsal extracurricular). My parents encourage me to do some exercise after school (I used to be fat and chubby), so they register me and my brother into a basketball course.

As you expect, it didn’t go that well too. I can’t even shoot the ball properly into the ring. I threw the ball between my legs to create more power because I can’t do a normal shot. It works, but everyone laughs at me. At least I can entertain them.

More to that, I also sustained multiple injuries just from the practice. The worse one was when I slipped and slam my head on the floor. I was rushed to the hospital for a concussion scan. Luckily, there are no major injuries, but I can’t sleep for a few days because it was so painful.

In the end, I decided to stop and my brother kept practising, which eventually made him one of the best player in the school team.

When I failed both sports, then there must be another sport that I’m good at then? Tennis! Oh yes, I’m super good at it. Even my coach was very pleased with myself, just because of my participation…

“Thanks for coming! Try again harder next time!” *Insert fake smile here*

I’m just not good at playing it. I can’t run fast like Ronaldo, jump high like LeBron James and smashing the ball like Federer. In my dream, of course!

Maybe I’m just too lazy. I didn’t do any routine exercise. I prefer to seat of my couch, watch TV and eating chips. Or maybe I love watching people doing it instead of me doing it.

But there’s one thing that I’m capable of.

Watching and learning.

Just like in F1 racing, I do learn and observe a lot of their strategy, routine and the technical side of it.

One day, I was having a chat with one of my best friend that happens to be an F1 fan. We talk deeply about the drivers, the teams, strategy, prediction and review. Even after the race finished, we always chat about what happened to their strategy, what went wrong and everything. We didn’t realise that we used so many technical terms about it and people had no idea what we were talking about.

Once, someone asked me.

“You never drove a racecar, but how do you know all of these things?”

The simplest answer to that.

“Cause I watch it too often”.

Until now, this is what shaped me. I learn from many people just by observing and apply it in real life, not only in sports but in any other aspects of life.

It’s a long story, but there’s the main take about it.

You might be down because you cannot do what most people can do. Sometimes it can be demoralising, but you don’t need to worry.

Think about it right now. Try to dig into yourself and find that hidden talent. When you find it, you can inspire other people just from your action. Spread the positivity and bless other people with your skills and talents. Then, it becomes wonderful when you can do something better that no one else can do it. Each person is unique and they are capable to do many wonderful things in life.

So be yourself and you can do it!

More from the author

Christopher Reno Budiman is a writer, explorer and entrepreneur-minded person. He received Bachelor of Business (Hospitality Management) and Bachelor of International Hospitality Management with Swiss Hotel Association accreditation. He’s on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn if you would like to know more about him.