Our basketball players recently figured in a brawl with Australia at the Fiba Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers. To say that it was a disappointment is a gross understatement, because it was, in fact, disheartening. To have ever engaged in violence in an activity like sports, which promotes fitness, excellence and sportsmanship, is truly unthinkable.
Sanctions are expected to be imposed on those involved; it could mean suspension or, worse, a ban. Their livelihood could be in jeopardy.
In contrast, there is Japan, which bowed out of the 2018 Fifa World Cup. Despite a dramatic loss to Belgium, the Japanese fans still helped clean the stadium, while the Blue Samurais left their changing room spotlessly clean, and with a heartwarming thank-you note in Russian.
Japan is not a perfect country, but this gesture is worth emulating. Manners bring order to a society. An orderly society is an efficient society, and an efficient society is a progressive country.
CRISTINO S. SANTOS, crisan724@yahoo.com