SPORTS, SPORTING & SPORTMANSHIP

Conflict is part and parcel of life; its natural, it should and must be managed somehow. The fact is, people differ, so they see things differently, need different things, and they have different thinking styles. Sometimes they agree and perhaps more often than not, they disagree - on so many things and issues. Different personalities, with different socio-economic status produced ideological and philosophical differences. With different goals and approaches, they are exposed to various influences - fear, force, fairness and even funds. Issues then transformed into problems. At the end of the day, they resort to either collaborating, compromising, accomodating, competing, or maybe avoiding.

These were what I shared with them a few hours ago, in a course on conflict management for sports organisation here, in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. Held in one of the resorts here, the course, organised by the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia & Youth & Sports Offices, focuses on the issues & challenges faced by sports bodies in Malaysia; and conflict management is one of the themes addressed by the organiser. Met a few of my ex-students here - Siti Normaznie, Naziah, Hartyny, and a few others who are all assistant sports commissioner.

During the post-event late nite supper at the resort lobby, the Commissioner, Dato' Nik Mahmud Nik Yusuf had a lot of sidestories which we enjoyed so much.

I urged myself for a walk along the beach soon after the supper was over. Too bad I didnt bring my fishing rod. It was raining heavily until morning. But it sure was a nice and cool night for me, standing there, alone, watching the raindrops from the resort. Ah! The manuscript was always there for me!