The will to win

Did most of the teams that were on the field seem to have that will to win? It seemed that there was not only the will that was absent the skills too were much to be desired. The worst possible observation was that there was lack of fitness that would make you a champion team in a game like the sevens.

By Vimal Perera

“Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, and they have to have the skill and the will to win.. But the will must be stronger than the skill” --Mohammed Ali. I started to reflect on this statement of the great statesman Mohammed Ali after watching the sevens played last week.

Another feather in the Kandy cap

Did most of the teams that were on the field seem to have that will to win? It seemed that there was not only the will that was absent the skills too were much to be desired. The worst possible observation was that there was lack of fitness that would make you a champion team in a game like the sevens.

Kandy as has been in the past ended up winners once again. The final game however did not prove that they were invincible. It was a game their opponents the CR could have easily won. Wrong options and that little desire to spurt them to be champions seemed to elude them. This victory was not to be theirs.

The quote of the one time great boxer and sports needs reflection from inside and within is teams are to perform better and simply as somebody would say better.

Are people who form the core of the players and are mentors as leader fail to share that vision, the dream and or the desire all that they can show as skill will be of no use if the will is not there. It is this little that makes the difference between a championship outfit and another contender of a competitor. The sevens played last week had the ingredients missing in a number of teams.

A thorough understanding of the modern physical demands and advancements in the optimal conditioning for performance has to be the central interest for success in sevens .This should be done with the strength to dominate your opponent in each and every phase of play. Have the power to burst through a full on rugby tackle lifting your team and sealing the fate of the opposition. Have the stamina and mental endurance to keep going in a rugby match when everyone else is falling. Have the clarity of thinking without your heart bursting through your chest as you make that all important kicks. Have the ability to recover quicker and avoid unnecessary injuries literally saving you thousands in costly medical bills!