There is no way to sugarcoat what took place during the volleyball match today. The Malaysian team lost three out of the five sets played. The first set was a wipeout, at 3 to 25 points. The second and third sets stood at 12 to 25, and 24 to 26 points, respectively.
The Malaysian team looked like it was waiting for Wile E Coyote to light the fuse, the Roadrunner to go “beep, beep!”, and Wile E Coyote to then shout, “KaBOOM!”. That did not happen. Not at all. Nuh-uh.
The Malaysian team was severely outclassed and while the scores do reflect in earnest the team’s simmering potential and valiant attempts to turn the tide, it became apparent that this was not to be. With so many unforced errors, instances of hesitation and miscommunication (or lack of communication), the Malaysian team was left to fend off a blitzkrieg of spikes with no respite. It was a very disheartening and painful game to watch.
So there was no silver lining? Of course, there was. That lining is a given in life. While sport is mostly inconsequential to many of us, one of sport’s most endearing yet often forgotten quality is its ability to show us who we are in life when faced with both success and defeat. The one thing no one could take away from this year’s volleyball team is that they grappled to the end. It would have been far easier to just give up, throw in the towel and let the third set sail into oblivion. But something special happened. This team deserves credit for fighting through it – as only an advocate would know how to when confronted with a hopeless and unwinnable proposition – with dignity and courage.
Perhaps this outing will serve as a catalyst for a stronger team with more depth and wisdom. Or not. Either way, it will be interesting to see what the Malaysian team will have to offer in the next edition of the Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games in Malaysia. Better still, can we give the Singaporean volleyball team a good kick in the hind the next time around? On the court, of course.*
* The writer is firmly rooting for the Malaysian volleyball team to find its groove and hopes to be able to finally watch the players serve and feed their Singaporean counterpart a dish famously known as “humble pie”.
Not just there to play and cheer, a team of web reporters will provide regular updates on the Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games 2011. For ease of reference, all reports will bear the heading "B&B 42". Watch this space.
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Circular No 102/2012: Mahkamah Sesyen/Majistret Kajang Moving to Kompleks Mahkamah Kajang
