10. Sporting Achievement
1
Why do the unit?
This unit aims to open up students to the importance of a healthy body for a
healthy mind. They will study lives and achievements of some sporting heroes with
special emphasis on achievements of those who braved odds to achieve success on
the Sports field.
Note: a wide selection of activities have been provided to help any teacher
wishing to extend their students beyond the learning outcomes/expectations
outlined here
This unit aims to open up students to the importance of a healthy body for a
healthy mind. They will study lives and achievements of some sporting heroes with
special emphasis on achievements of those who braved odds to achieve success on
the Sports field.
Note: a wide selection of activities have been provided to help any teacher
wishing to extend their students beyond the learning outcomes/expectations
outlined here.
Listening skills
They will:



Listen and respond to a sports commentary
Listen to grasp the main idea
Listen for specific information
Speaking skills
They will:



Participate actively in group discussions
Present their viewpoint with clarity
Debate for and against an idea and come to a consensus
Reading skills
They will:






Read and understand non-narrative/ factual texts
Identify the main features of such texts
Understand the elements of a biography/ autobiography.
Summarise the given piece
Deduce the meanings of unfamiliar words
Read a poem on the theme
2
Writing skills
They will:




Learn to write a diary entry
Write a newspaper article
Write a bio-sketch
Write a news paper report
Language Structure and conventions; literary devices

Articles and Determiners
3
Contents of the unit
I.Short Story/ Narratives
 Appreciating Sports Achievers through various forms of literature
 The Wizard (literary piece on Dhyan chand)
 Tom Brown's Last Match (excerpt from a novel ‘Tom Brown’s
School Days)
 Mahatma Gandhi on sports
 The Boy Who Couldn't Bowl (From an autobiography: Line and
Strength by Glenn McGrath)
 Jesse Owens (biography)
 Carl Lewis Interview
II. Poems
i. Confessions Of A Born Spectator by Ogden Nash
ii. After Sports Day by John Forster
iii. Cock Fight by Raymond A. Foss
III.
Listening/ speaking
 listening to a poem ‘Six and Out’ and completing the accompanying
tasks.
 by presenting your views through discussions.
 by discussing their views on reading passages; expressing their views
on various structured exercises; verbal and non verbal communication;
and debate
 by scripting and enacting role-plays
 by making and presenting advertisements/ commercials
 presenting through PowerPoint presentation
 by delivering a speech
IV. Writing

by reacting to/analysing given situations

by writing letters—formal/ informal.

by writing an article

by writing a conversation/ dialogue

creating advertisements
4

speech writing
Section
Reading Skills
Introducti
on
Identifying awards for
various
sporting
achievements
Writing Skills
Extreme
Sports
Designing
medals/
certificates to
applaud
achievements
The
Wizard
(literary
piece on
Dhyan
chand)
Writing
 Appreciating Dhyan Letter
Chand’s contribution (informal to a
to Indian hockey
friend)
 Comprehension
 Drawing inferences

Validating
arguments
Confessio
ns Of A
Born
Spectator
(poem)
Formal
(editor)
Listening
Skills
 Expressing
views
on
adventure
sports

Grou
p discussion
Writing an article
Vocabulary
Grammar
Familarising the
learner
with
Extreme
Sport
Vocabulary
Black
Superman
Johnny
Wakelin
Words
confused
often
Collocations
letter
 Appreciating poetic
language
 Making
inferences
 Identifying
contrasting points of
view

Interpreti
ng ideas in a
poem by relating
it to own
experience and
knowledge.
 Read to
understand the poem

Read for
specific information

Understand
meanings in context
Speaking
Skills
Expressing
opinions and
ideas—on
violence in
sports
Inferring the
meaning in
context
Poetic
connotation

Appreciating
the text—
connotation,
imagery, and
other poetic
devices
5
Tom
Brown's
Last
Match
(excerpt
from a
novel)
&
Mahatma
Gandhi
on sports
 Appreciating
value of sports
the
 Dialogue
writing
Role play
 Appreciating
importance of physical
development,
boldness,
fighting
spirit, and sociability
in one’s day to day life
 Comparing/
contrasting ideas
Creating a time line
Women
And
Sport
Animals
in Sports
Cock
Fight
(poem)
Gender Sensitisation
Script Writing
PowerPoint
presentation
 Appreciating poetic
language
 Designing
brochure
a
Debating
 Writing
biography
a

Grou
p discussion
 Building
a
convincing case
for recognition in
sports

Sport
s commentary
Appreciating/
understanding
Aural/
visual
imagery
 Read to
understand the poem

Read for
specific information

Understand
meanings in context

The Boy  Read to
Who
understand the gist of
Couldn't the texts
Bowl

Read for
(From: specific information
Line and 
Understand
Strength meanings in context
by Glenn 
McGrath)
Jesse
Owens
(biograph
y)
Presenting
views
convincingly
 Read to
understand the gist of
the texts

Read for
specific information
The Simple
Present and
Present
Progressive
SIX
AND
OUT (A Street
Impression)
by
G.D.
Martineau
 Creating
Adverisements
 Designing
stamp
a
 Writing a diary

Grou
p discussion

Role
6

Understand
meanings in context

entry
 Designing
commercial
Play
a

Bein
g empathic
 Inventing a new
Olympic sport
Carl
Lewis
Interview
After
Sports
Day
John
Forster
Appreciating different
genres of writing
Dialogue Writing
Comparing/
contrasting ideas
Speech Writing

Appreciating
poetic
language
 Informal letter
Articles, and
determiners
Delivering a
Speech

 Article
 Sensitizing
learners’ different
points of view
Project
Ideas: Great
Sporting
Achievement
s
7
Section A
1. Can you name the named trophies or awards? Also name the sports
achievements associated with each of these? You could take the help of the help
box on the bottom of the page.
Borg-Warner Trophy
Wade Trophy
Cy Young Award
Webb Ellis Cup
Allan Cup
Grey Cup
Dronacharya Award
Laureus World Sports Award
Arjuna Award
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2. EXTREME SPORTS
A. What is he doing? What is this ‘sport’ called?
…………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………….
Extreme sports are those which are more dangerous than usual sports, and doing
them is very exciting. Two of the most popular extreme sports are skateboarding
and surfing, as they don’t need much equipment.
B. Give reasons why you think people enjoy in such high risk sports?
1. higher level of adventure
2……………………………………………………………
3…………………………………………………………….
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4…………………………………………………………..
5. …………………………………………………………..
C. Do we really need to risk everything? For some “Yes, we do.”
Base Jumping
This is about leaping off a fixed object and
deploying a parachute at some point before hitting
the ground.
Risks? Parachute problems. Hitting bits of the
object you’ve just jumped off.
Appeal? Morbid glamour. Base jumpers are
considered the most daring of their breed and the
most likely to be dead before your next
conversation.
Motorcycle Leaping
This is a magnificent contest between man and… ground. From a rider's point of
view it is, literally, a leap into the unknown; for a
spectator it is thrilling and terrifying when a motorcycle
is out of its natural element – which is to say high in the
air.
Risks? Just missing the landing ramp. Hitting the
landing ramp, but missing your motorcycle. Colliding
with anything in between. Arriving at your destination
only to have your motorcycle’s suspension collapse on
impact. Losing control after landing and flying over the
handlebars – then being cleaned up by your own
machine.
Appeal? Fame. The opportunity to make a decent living in
freestyle motocross (involving midair stunts like the one above).
Cliff Diving
You make your way from the top of a very high cliff to water
level, unaided, quickly and with a series of graceful manoeuvres.
A typical dive is from 27 metres. The diver hits the water at
nearly 100kmh and is then pulled up at a rate of deceleration
10
equivalent to that of a mid-level car crash.
Risks? In a well-organised competition, the chances of hitting the cliff or
submerged rocks, which can be fatal, is small. You
can still hit fish, however, which can be very, very
painful. In 1999, American diver Todd Michael
forgot to insert his mouthguard and almost bit his
tongue off on impact.
Appeal? The purity, the rush, the Formula One gforces.
Trebuchet
This involves flying through the air, propelled by a
massive counterweighted catapult equipped with a
sling to increase launch speed and distance, then landing safely in a large net. Once
you've seen one person flung through the air by a trebuchet, you've probably seen
them all. More importantly, the person flying through the air has little control over
where they land, rather compromising any ability to get better with practice.
Risks? Missing the net, hitting the net but bouncing out of it, hitting the net but
twisting or breaking something on impact.
Appeal? The acceleration. Three to four seconds of human flight. Bragging about it
later.
In groups discuss what you think of such sports.
Organize a debate about Extreme Sports. Topics could include:


“Extreme Sports would not exist without television."
“Extreme Sports encourage kids to participate in dangerous activities."
3. Match descriptions, names and pictures of 12 popular extreme sports.
go4english.co.uk/media_file/doc/2007-07-19/1184831235.doc
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Scuba diving
Hang gliding
Water skiing
Rock climbing
Bungee jumping
Snowboarding
Mountain biking
Wind surfing
Sky diving
White-water canoeing
Inline skating
Skateboarding
Going up the vertical rock
faces of mountains using
special equipment.
Sailing while standing
on a narrow board with
a sail fixed to it.
Standing on a large
board and sliding down
snow, often doing
12
Travelling down fast-flowing
rivers in a thin one-person
boat using paddles.
Jumping off a high bridge or
building with only a strong
piece of elastic rope tied to
you.
Flying through the air alone
using a giant kite.
Cycling up and down
hills and mountains.
Riding or performing
tricks on a short narrow
board with a set of 4
small wheels
underneath.
Moving across the
water by being pulled
by a boat.
tricks at the same time.
Exploring underwater
using a mask and
oxygen tank.
Riding or performing
stunts using shoes with
a single row of small
wheels underneath.
Jumping out of a plane
and falling without a
parachute.
4. Design gold/ silver/ bronze medals. Also design certificate for the Olympic
Sports. Justify your work of art in about 150 words each.
13
5. Read about Dhyan Chand, the Legend
The Wizard
Q: Where can one find a statue of Dhyan Chand with four hands and
four sticks to signify wizardry?
A: At a sports club in Vienna
Q: His real name was Dhyan Singh. Where did he pick up Chand?
A: His coach Pankaj Gupta named him Chand predicting that he would
one day shine like the chand or moon
Q: How is his birthday, August 29, celebrated in India?
A: As National Sports Day
Q: What other sport did he love?
A: Billiards
Q: After watching him play, who told him, “You score goals like runs in
cricket”?
A: Sir Donald Bradman
The history of Indian hockey will be rendered insignificant without due
honour to the greatest exponent of the game - Dhyan Chand. Even before
he was selected for India's first Olympic team in 1928, the 24-year--old
soldier had attained an exalted status in the world of hockey. India's
maiden overseas tour of New Zealand ill 1926 left no doubt about his
superlative skills and scoring prowess:
So established was Dhyan Chand's credentials 1in those days that the Indian
Hockey Federation selected him for the Los Angeles Olympics on the strength of
his reputation, without seeking selection trials. The only player to be selected
without trials. this was an honour that would have gladdened the heart of any other
player. But the sporting spirit in this great player did not relish2 this. He observed,
"Even though I was assured that I would be included in the team without
1
2
qualifications, achievements or personal qualities
enjoy greatly
14
undergoing trials, I had a feeling that it was not altogether fair. I felt it was an
unenviable sort of preference shown to me when many of my friends who
accompanied me to the 1928 Olympics were fighting badly for a place and had to
prove their mettle3 in the inter-provincial tournament. "
He was only a soldier hailing from a humble background.
Dhyan Chand said about the moment he learned of his selection for the New
Zealand tour in 1926, "I ran like a hare to reach my barracks and communicated
the good news to my fellow soldiers." His immediate concern was whether he had
good clothing and equipment to undertake the tour. Eventually, he clothed as
inexpensively as possible. His main personal outfit was his military uniform!
However, so spectacular were his field exploits that the
crown of captaincy could not be denied to him for long
and he earned the exalted status in the Western Asiatic
games in 1934. But in the very next assignment, he had
to bow out in favour of a prince! He did not utter a
word and took things in his stride. Needless to say, the
entire history of Indian sports has not seen one so
gifted, yet so modest.
What was of utmost importance to him was the game,
the rest made no difference. It was precisely for this
reason that when he was asked to step aside to
accommodate a ruling elite, who was truly struggling in
form, in the seat of captaincy just before the 1936
Olympics, he did so without a word of protest. After
all, safeguarding the interests of hockey and the country
can be done in more ways than one and Dhyan Chand
proved it better than anyone else could. This is Dhyan
Chand-modest, dignified, composed-both on and off the
field.
When he was selected for Olympic captaincy in 1936,
Dhyan Cnand was thrilled beyond measure. He said, "My selection for the first
Olympic team in 1928 did not give any thrill because it was expected, but selection
as captain for India was least expected by me." His elevation marked an important
milestone for the Indian sporting fraternity when excellence overcame all social
differentiation and talent was awarded its due regard. As would a practical man, he
accepted the challenge life posed this time, and faced it head-on by sheer display of
skill on the field and patience off it.
3
person's ability
15
He did not allow any trivia to become a stumbling block in his pursuit of
excellence. He treated both adulation and pinpricks equally and never once did he
go overboard or react sharply. Neither adulation led to complacency4 in this great
player nor did he allow adversities to affect his game. For him the only way to
accept a word of praise was to put
in more effort to sustain it and the best response to criticism was to accept it. That
is why, in his entire career, he could not ever be provoked while he was on the
field.
During the 1936 Olympic final against Germany, after India had already
established an unassailable5 6-0 lead, the rival
goalkeeper injured Dhyan Chand badly and he had to
leave the field to receive first aid as he had broken his
teeth. When he returned to the field after receiving first
aid, he asked his friends not to play aggressively and
instead taught them a lesson in ball possession. The
mature approach made the game less physical, more
spectacular and artistic. This gesture which came amidst
25,000 spectators baying6 for India's blood, set a high
standard of sportsmanship difficult to surpass. For this
very match, while the record book showed six goals against Dhyan Chand's name,
he claimed credit for only three of them. He, in fact, argued that he scored only
three goals - such was his honesty and greatness. Such instances motivated his
team members to give that extra bit of effort. Not for nothing did the great
Pakistani player, Ali lqditar Shah Dara, praise him as the "one who employed the
minimum of perspiration and the maximum of inspiration."
Once a robust tackler7 caused him an injury intentionally, but Dhyan Chand, as
always, did not react. Instead, he said to the player, who was amazed by Dhyan
Chand's calmness even after what he had done and came to express his repentance,
"But for that incident, I would not have scored those three extra goals." In another
case in early 1925, in the final of the Punjab Infantry Tournament in Jhelum, his
team was trailing by two goals with only four minutes to go when his commanding
officer looked at him as he was sitting among the spectators and shouted, "Come
on Dhyan, we are down, do something about it." He entered the field and scored
4
satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements
5
unable to be defeated
shouting loudly
6
7
one who attempts to play the ball when It is in possession of an
opponent
16
three goals in four minutes to snatch a dramatic 8victory. There is no complete
record of his superlative feats9 for they were too many and all who came in contact
with the great player had their own exciting anecdote to narrate.
There was another incident when during a match Dhyan Chand passed the ball to
K.D. Singh. Dhyan Chand turned his back and walked away. When Singh later
asked the reason for his strange behaviour, he replied, "If you could not get a goal
from that pass, you do not deserve to be in my team." Singh, like many other
players who played under this great exponent of the game received his lesson well
and subsequently rose to become the Olympic captain of the Indian team.
Unique human virtues and the extraordinary grasp of the game made him an alltime great who easily justified all the sobriquets10 that came his way - juggler,
magician, wizard, genius, human eel and so on.
Dhyan Chand, a born genius as he was, innovated
tricks to score on the spur of the moment, rather than
follow copybook patterns. He did not possess the
deadly speed of his equally illustrious brother, Roop
Singh, nor were his shots packed with as much
power as that of his contemporary, Frank Wells. He
only had an uncanny11 knack of spotting a gap
before it was there and scoring through deception,
often through low, gentle push.
Always unpredictable inside the circle, he placed the
balls inside the net in lightning action that would
leave even the best of goalkeepers bewildered.
Defenders were often awestruck by the repertoire of
shots that he would unleash in a split second, each
.varying in style and technique. It is exactly for this
reason that his colleagues consider him responsible
for elevating the simple act of scoring into an art of
perfection through deception. Once a seasoned rugby
follower said after watching Dhyan Chand in motion during one of his New
Zealand tours, "After watching his play, which involves such perfectly graceful
and coherent movement, the game of rugby looks like many cows let loose of the
field."
8
an act of picking. hitting or throwing the ball to another player
achievements requiring great courage, skill or strength
10
nicknames
11
strange or mysterious
9
17
In the 1947 East Mrica tour - he was 42-years old then - he scored 61 goals in 22
matches. Even age could not diminish his penchant12 for goals. He had taken up
the tour as the host nation had made a special request to the Indian Hockey
Federation and said, "No Dhyan Chand, no team please.'''
Even goalkeepers of the calibre of Shankar Laxman, triple Olympian, could do
nothing to stop him. "You score goals like runs in cricket," the legendary cricketer,
Sir Don Bradman, had said to Dhyan Chand. So impressed was he by his style after
watching him play at Adelaide in 1935.
( In Vienna, a symbolic statue of the great player-with four arms and four sticks, as
if declaring to the world that it was next to impossible for a mere mortal to stand
up against Dhyan Chandwas built. As his invincible talent impressed more and
more people many myths about his extraordinary talents began to be circulated The
Japanese suspected that his stick was made of glue; in fact Hitler even wanted to
purchase his stick; a European player eve broke his stick to see if there was any
magnet inside. Hitler was enamoured13 by the craftsmanship of the Indian ace that
he invited the entire Indian team to dinner and offered the hockey wizard the title
of Field Marshal if he migrated to Germany. He turned down the offer. These
stories are hard to prove but are fine indicators o. his image.
What an amazing rise it was for the 'Other Ranks' soldier in
the army!
Dhyan's hockey started quite early. Shaping a branch of a
date palm tree into a 'stick' and old rags into a ball, he played
the game since he was in primary school. At the age of 16,
following family tradition of taking up the defence of the
country a profession, he joined the Army. It turned out to be
a boon for him.
Hockey was popular in the cantonments in those days and
his senior and Guru, Bole Tiwari, polished his skills to a
sparkle. On his part, the young Dhyan Chand was almost
obsessed with the game. He worked hard and within four
years of playing in the Army, found a place in the first-ever
Indian contingent to cross the shores - the Army team that
went to New Zealand in 1926. With deft stick work and
astonishing artistry, he spearheaded14 the attack on that tour
and scored nearly 100 goals.
12
13
14
a strong or habitual liking for something
filled with a feeling of love for something
led (an attack)
18
'Dada', as he was known to his dear ones, always put aside personal gains. against
the needs of pure patriotism. Veteran journalist, Sushi! Jain, who toured with him
several times, recalled with emotion, "Once he flatly refused an offer for coaching
a German team. Knowing well his poor financial status, I persisted that he accept
that lucrative assignment, but he shut my mouth saying, if I coach them and if they
beat us, where will I hide my face." Such were his principles on matters concerning
the country.
To honour the great sportsman the Government of India issued a commemorative
postage stamp in his name and gave him one of the country's top civil awards,
Padma Bhushan, in1956. Till date he is the only Padma Bhushan winner in hockey.
Moreover, his birthday has been declared as the National Sports Day. Lifetime
awards for sports -'AIjuna' and 'Dronacharya'- are presented on this day. The Army
decorated him with the King's Commission and promoted him to the rank of Major
in 1943. The Sports Authority of India erected a grand statue in 1995 at the
entrance of the historic National Stadium, where the inaugural Asian Games were
held in 1951. It is the only statue of any player in India.
Dhyan Chand is now more than a name. He is a synonym for excellence. Balbir
Singh, who had a big hand in India winning the next three Olympics (1948 -1956),
was fondly designated as the 'modern-day Dhyan Chand'. Goal-machine Habib-urRehman (1952 and 1956 Olympics) was dubbed as the 'Dhyan Chand of Pakistan'.
Not for nothing did the Indian Olympic Association name him the 'Player of the
Century'.
Dhyan Chand breathed his last on 3 December 1979 at Delhi.
The mortal remains of the immortal hero were buried at the Jhansi Heroes' Ground
in Jhansi, a historic town in Uttar Pradesh, with full military honours.
K. ARUMUGAM (Excerpts from ‘The Wizard', Great Indian Olympians)
6. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. Who is 'the Wizard’? Why do people still remember him?
2. Why was Dhyan Chand selected for the Los Angeles Olympic without a trial?
3. Dhyan Chand had served the nation in more than one way. Justify.
4. Describe the “high standard of sportsmanship" difficult to surpass?
5. What was Iqdllar Shah Dara's remark about Dhyan Chand? Why did the
robust tackler repent?
6. "If you could not get a goal from that pass, you do not deserve to be in my
team." Who said this, to whom and why?
7. What was the offer of Hitler to Dhyan Chand? Did he accept it?
8. Why did Dhyan Chand put down the offer for coaching a German team?
19
2. Answer these questions in about 100 words each.
(i) "The entire history of Indian sports has not seen one so gifted, yet so modest."
Justify the statement citing examples from the text.
(ii) Write a short character sketch of the Wizard bringing out his strengths and
weaknesses.
(iii) "He did not allow any trivia to become a stumbling block in his pursuit of
excellence." Elaborate.
(iv) Give four examples of Dhyan Chand's honesty and greatness.
(v) Give instances to prove that Dhyan Chand was a born genius who had
innovated tricks and not followed copy-book patterns.
(vi) How has Dhyan Chand been honoured at home arid abroad?
(vii) Discuss Games are not played to win battles.
7. Vocabulary
Some contrasting pairs are given below. Make sentences to illustrate the difference
in their meanings.
amateur /professional
causer effect
active/passive
contagious / infectious
constructive/ destructive
assets/liabilities
abstract/ concrete
affirmative/negative
artificial/ genuine
ascent/descend
eccentric/ concentric
8. Collocations
Read the collocations given below.
 Pattering of raindrops
 Ringing of a bell/telephone
 Clattering of a metal pan
 Roaring of a huge waterfall
 Twinkling of stars
 Banging of a door
 Rumbling of distant thunder
 Rustling of dry leaves
Now find words to collocate with the objects given below.
Sun candle flame diamond gold fire
20
9. Writing
1.
Describe Dhyan Chand’s feelings when he was selected for the New Zealand
tour, in a letter to his friend.
2.
Write an article for the magazine on:
The important thing is playing not winning or losing but the participation.
3. Achievements in the sporting world can be overshadowed by controversy
regarding performance enhancing drugs. There are over 4,000 drugs banned by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) who set international standards. The use
of performance-enhancing drugs in sport is commonly referred to by the term
"doping and unfortunately is present in competitive sports today.
Write a letter to the Editor expressing your views. Write reasons, causes and
effects of the issue.
Speaking
Remembering Dhyan Chand-- the hockey Legend
Discuss in groups and make a presentation
 After reading the chapter, how do you think would Dhyan Singh have liked
people to remember him?
 What would be the best way to do that?
21
 How would it inspire budding players of today?
Section B
Confessions Of A Born Spectator
Ogden Nash
1. Look at the picture given below and answer the following questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do you enjoy watching sports?
Would you rather be inside the ring or outside? Give reasons.
Who do you think is a ‘born spectator’?
Why do you think some people never want to play a sport?
2. Now read the poem
One infant grows up and becomes a jockey15
Another plays basketball or hockey
15
professional horse rider
22
This one the prize ring 16hates to enter
That one becomes a tackle or center
17
I am just glad as glad can be
That I am not them, that they are not me
With all my heart I do admire
Athletes who sweat for fun or hire
Who take the field in gaudy pomp18
And maim19 each other as they romp
My limp and bashful spirit 20feeds
On other people's heroic deeds
Now A runs ninety yards to score
B knocks the champion to the floor
Crisking vertebrae and spines
Lashes his steed 21across the line
You'd think my ego it would please
To swap22 positions with one of these
Well, ego it might be pleased enough
But zealous athletes play so rough
They do not ever in their dealings
Consider one another's feelings
I'm glad that when my struggle begins
'Twixt prudence23 and ego, prudence wins
When swollen eye meets gnarled first24
When snaps the knee, and cracks the wrist
When officialdom demands
Is there a doctor in the stands?
My soul in true thanksgiving speaks
For this modest of physiques
16
enclosed area where boxing matches are fought
position in rugby
18
showy dress
19
injure
20
weak and shy spirit
21
large strong horse
22
exchange
23
wise thought before acting
24
rough and twisted fist
17
23
"Athletes, I'll drink to you25,
Or eat with you
Or anything except compete with you
Buy tickets worth their radium
To watch you gamble in the stadium
And reassure myself anew
That you are not me and I'm not you
Frederic Ogden Nash (August 19, 1902 – May 19, 1971) was
an American poet well known for his light verse. At the time of
his death in 1971, the New York Times said his "droll verse with
its unconventional rhymes made him the country's best-known
producer of humorous poetry"
3. Answer the following questions
1. Children grow up and become doctors, lawyers, players, athletes, IT
professionals and so on. What does the poet become?
2. Why does the poet make the statement, "I am just as glad as glad can be"?
3. Does the poet really admire the athletes with all his heart? Pick out the words
in support of your opinion.
4. In the last line of the second stanza the poet talks about "heroic deeds". This
means that the spectator is
(i) full of praise for the athletes. (ii) Critical of the athletes.
(iii) making fun of the athletes.
5. The characters A,B and C achieve milestones in the field of games and sports.
Does the spectator intend to change positions with one of them? Pick out the
explanations to justify your answer.
6. (i)Why is there a struggle between 'prudence' and 'ego'?
(ii) "Prudence wins". Explain.
25
drink for your health
24
7. "Calm officialdom". Does this mean the officials are
(i) calm and composed?
(ii) slow and unhelpful?
Support your answer by quoting appropriate lines from the poem.
8. Why does the spectator say ''1'll drink to you"?
9. Is the spectator proud and happy to be only a spectator? Read the last line and
select words in support of your answer.
4. Discuss and write
1. The poem has been written in a lighter vein. The born spectator puts forth his
arguments in a humorous way. Pick out two examples of humour which have
appealed to you the most.
2. In a very witty and clever way the born spectator reasons out his choice not to
become an athlete. List the reasons.
3. Read the following cartoon strip and discuss in groups the questions given
below. Present the views of the group to the class.
(a) Bring out the humour in the cartoon strip.
5. Discuss and present
1.
How do you feel when you see a fight during a professional hockey
game, or a baseball player yelling at an Umpire?
2.
What message does spots violence give to kids? (That it is all right to
play this way; that violence is an acceptable way to deal with anger or
frustration; that it is part of the sport; that you should go for whatever you can
get away with, rather than playing fair.)
25
3.
What about WWE Wrestling? Do you think it's a sport? Is it in the same
category as football, soccer or hockey?
6. Listening
Listen to the lyrics by Johnny Wakelin Black Superman and fill in the blanks
given below
1.
This is the story of …………………. He later changed his name to Muhammad
Ali.
2.
Muhammad Ali knows how to ………………. and how to ……………
3.
Muhammad Ali floats like a …………….. and stings like a …………….
4.
This black superman tells his contender , “I’m Ali……………………………..”
5.
Muhammad Ali says his face is pretty because……………..
6.
His unscarred face proves that he is the …………………………
26
Section C
Tom Brown's Last Match
Excerpt From: Tom Brown's Schooldays
Thomas Hughes
1. Thomas Hughes (1822-1896) studied at Rugby School during the
headmastership of Thomas Arnold. Based on his school experience, he wrote a
novel, Tom Brown’s Schooldays.
Dr Thomas Arnold was academic,who had transformed Rugby School from a place
where the indolent sons of gentlefolk were kept away from their parents, for the
duration of their youth, to a scholastic institution where the Classics and sports
flourished. Arnold ushered in a new era of learning, which would prove a model
for the public school system.
In this book Tom Brown is transformed from a nervous, homesick, timid boy into a
robust, manly student. He becomes a heroic figure recognised for his physical
courage, sportsmanship, loyalty and patriotism. This transformation is brought
about by the discipline of the public school and the culture of sports.
Do you think sports add value to education? Give reasons.
2. Read the passage given below
All three are watching the game eagerly, and joining in the
cheering which follows every good hit. It is pleasing to see
the easy, friendly footing which the pupils are on with
their master, perfectly respectful, yet with no reserve and
nothing forced in their intercourse. Tom has clearly
abandoned the old theory of "natural enemies" in this case
at any rate.
But it is time to listen to what they are saying, and see
what we can gather out of it.
"I don't object to your theory," says the master, "and I
allow you have made a fair case for yourself. But now, in
27
such books as Aristophanes, for instance, you've been reading a play this half with
the Doctor, haven't you?"
"Yes, the Knights," answered Tom.
"Well, I'm sure you would have enjoyed the wonderful humour of it twice as much
if you had taken more pains with your scholarship."
"Well, sir, I don't believe any boy in the form enjoyed the sets-to between Cleon
and the Sausage-seller more than I did - eh, Arthur?" said Tom, giving him a stir
with his foot.
"Yes, I must say he did," said Arthur. "I think, sir, you've hit upon the wrong book
there."
"Not a bit of it," said the master. "Why, in those very passages of arms, how can
you thoroughly appreciate them unless you are master of the weapons? and the
weapons are the language, which you, Brown, have never half worked at; and so,
as I say, you must have lost all the delicate shades of meaning which make the best
part of the fun."
"Oh, well played! bravo, Johnson!" shouted Arthur, dropping his bat and clapping
furiously, and Tom joined in with a "Bravo, Johnson!" which might have been
heard at the chapel.
"Eh! what was it? I didn't see," inquired the master. "They only got one run, I
thought?"
"No, but such a ball, three-quarters length, and coming straight for his leg bail.
Nothing but that turn of the wrist could have saved him, and he drew it away to leg
for a safe one. - Bravo, Johnson!"
"How well they are bowling, though," said Arthur; "they don't mean to be beat, I
can see."
"There now," struck in the master; "you see that's just what I have been preaching
this half-hour. The delicate play is the true thing. I don't understand cricket, so I
don't enjoy those fine draws which you tell me are the best play, though when you
or Raggles hit a ball hard away for six I am as delighted as any one. Don't you see
the analogy?"
"Yes, sir," answered Tom, looking up roguishly, "I see; only the question remains
whether I should have got most good by understanding Greek particles or cricket
thoroughly. I'm such a thick, I never should have had time for both."
"I see you are an incorrigible," said the master, with a chuckle; "but I refute you by
an example. Arthur there has taken in Greek and cricket too."
"Yes, but no thanks to him; Greek came natural to him. Why, when he first came I
remember he used to read Herodotus for pleasure as I did Don Quixote, and
couldn't have made a false concord if he'd tried ever so hard; and then I looked
after his cricket."
28
"Out! Bailey has given him out. Do you see, Tom?" cries Arthur. "How foolish of
them to run so hard."
"Well, it can't be helped; he has played very well. Whose turn is it to go in?"
"I don't know; they've got your list in the tent."
"Let's go and see," said Tom, rising; but at this moment Jack Raggles and two or
three more came running to the island moat.
"O Brown, mayn't I go in next?" shouts the Swiper.
"Whose name is next on the list?" says the captain.
"Winter's, and then Arthur's," answers the boy who carries it; "but there are only
twenty-six runs to get, and no time to lose. I heard Mr. Aislabie say that the stumps
must be drawn at a quarter past eight exactly."
"Oh, do let the Swiper go in," chorus the boys; so Tom yields against his better
judgment.
"I dare say now I've lost the match by this nonsense," he says, as he sits down
again; "they'll be sure to get Jack's wicket in three or four minutes; however, you'll
have the chance, sir, of seeing a hard hit or
two," adds he, smiling, and turning to the
master.
"Come, none of your irony, Brown," answers
the master. "I'm beginning to understand the
game scientifically. What a noble game it is,
too!"
"Isn't it? But it's more than a game. It's an
institution," said Tom.
"Yes," said Arthur - "the birthright of British
boys old and young, as habeas corpus and trial
by jury are of British men."
"The discipline and reliance on one another
which it teaches is so valuable, I think," went
on the master, "it ought to be such an unselfish
game. It merges the individual in the eleven; he
doesn't play that he may win, but that his side
may."
"That's very true," said Tom, "and that's why
football and cricket, now one comes to think of
it, are such much better games than fives or
hare-and-hounds, or any others where the
object is to come in first or to win for oneself, and not that one's side may win."
29
"And then the captain of the eleven!" said the master; "what a post is his in our
School-world! almost as hard as the Doctor's — requiring skill and gentleness and
firmness, and I know not what other rare qualities."
"Which don't he may wish he may get!" said Tom, laughing; "at any rate he hasn't
got them yet, or he wouldn't have been such a flat to-night as to let Jack Raggles go
in out of his turn."
"Ah, the Doctor never would have done that," said Arthur demurely. "Tom, you've
a great deal to learn yet in the art of ruling."
"Well, I wish you'd tell the Doctor so then, and get him to let me stop till I'm
twenty. I don't want to leave, I'm sure."
"What a sight it is," broke in the master, "the Doctor as a ruler! Perhaps ours is the
only little corner of the British Empire which is thoroughly, wisely, and strongly
ruled just now. I'm more and more thankful every day of my life that I came here
to be under him."
"So am I, I'm sure," said Tom, "and more and more sorry that I've got to leave."
"Every place and thing one sees here reminds one of some wise act of his," went
on the master. "This island now - you remember the time, Brown, when it was laid
out in small gardens, and cultivated by frost-bitten fags in February and March?"
"Of course I do," said Tom; "didn't I hate spending two hours in the afternoon
grubbing in the tough dirt with the stump of a fives bat? But turf-cart was good fun
enough."
"I dare say it was, but it was always leading to fights with the townspeople; and
then the stealing flowers out of all the gardens in Rugby for the Easter show was
abominable."
"Well, so it was," said Tom, looking down, "but we fags couldn't help ourselves.
But what has that to do with the Doctor's ruling?"
"A great deal, I think," said the master; "what brought island- fagging to an end?"
"Why, the Easter speeches were put off till midsummer," said Tom, "and the sixth
had the gymnastic poles put up here."
"Well, and who changed the time of the speeches, and put the idea of gymnastic
poles into the heads of their worships the sixth form?" said the master.
"The Doctor, I suppose," said Tom. "I never thought of that."
"Of course you didn't," said the master, "or else, fag as you were, you would have
shouted with the whole school against putting down old customs. And that's the
way that all the Doctor's reforms have been carried out when he has been left to
himself - quietly and naturally, putting a good thing in the place of a bad, and
letting the bad die out; no wavering, and no hurry - the best thing that could be
done for the time being, and patience for the rest."
"Just Tom's own way," chimed in Arthur, nudging Tom with his elbow - "driving a
nail where it will go;" to which allusion Tom answered by a sly kick.
30
"Exactly so," said the master, innocent of the allusion and by- play.
3. Discuss and Answer the following questions
 How important is physical development, boldness, fighting spirit,
and sociability in one’s day to day life? Give reasons.
 Have you ever dreamed about being a sports star? What sport
would you like to be associated with? What do you think it would be
like to be one of the best in the world?
 Explain what good sportsmanship means.
 If you could switch bodies with an athlete for one week, who
would you choose? How do you think you would do in their body for
that week? Would you ruin their career or help it?
4. Mahatma Gandhi and colonial sport
Mahatma Gandhi believed that sport was essential for creating a
balance between the body and the mind. However, he often
emphasised that games like cricket and hockey were imported into
India by the British and were replacing traditional games. Such
games as cricket, hockey, football and tennis were for the
privileged, he believed. They showed a colonial mindset and were
a less effective education than the simple exercise of those who
worked on the land.
Read the following three extracts from Mahatma Gandhi’s writing
and contrast them to the ideas on education and sport expressed by
Thomas Arnold or Hughes (Tom Browns Schooldays).
31
‘Now let us examine our body. Are we supposed to cultivate the body by playing
tennis, football or cricket for an hour every day? It does, certainly, build up the
body. Like a wild horse, however, the body will be strong but not trained. A
trained body is healthy, vigorous and sinewy. The hands and
feet can do any desired work. A pickaxe, a shovel, a hammer, etc. are like
ornaments to a trained hand and it can wield them … A well-trained body does not
get tired in trudging 30 miles …. Does the student acquire such physical culture?
We can assert that modern curricula do not impart physical
education in this sense.’
[From ‘What Is Education’, 11 February 1926, The Collected Works of Mahatma
Gandhi, Vol. 34.]
‘I should, however, be exceedingly surprised and even painfully surprised, if I
were told that before cricket and football descended upon your sacred soil, your
boys were devoid of all games. If you have national games, I would urge upon you
that yours is an institution that should lead in reviving old
games. I know that we have in India many noble indigenous games just as
interesting and exciting as cricket or football, also as much attended with risks as
football is, but with the added advantage that they are inexpensive, because the
cost is practically next to nothing’
[Speech at Mahindra College, 24 November 1927, The Collected Works of
Mahatma Gandhi.]
‘A sound body means one which bends itself to the spirit and is always a ready
instrument at its service. Such bodies are not made, in my opinion, on the football
field. They are made on cornfields and farms. I would urge you to think this over
and you will find innumerable illustrations to prove my
statement. Our colonial-born Indians are carried away with this football and cricket
mania. These games may have their place under certain circumstances …. Why do
we not take the simple fact into consideration that the vast majority of mankind
who are vigorous in body and mind are simple
agriculturists, that they are strangers to these games, and they are the salt of the
earth?’
[Letter to Lazarus, 17 April 1915, The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi].
32
Writing
5. Imagine a conversation between Thomas Arnold, the headmaster of
Rugby School, and Mahatma Gandhi on the value of cricket in education.
What would each say? Write out a conversation in the form of a dialogue.
6. Role Play
Enact out the dialogue with proper stress and intonation
7. Women And Sport
Till the last part of the nineteenth century, sports and vigorous exercise for girls
was not a part of their education. Dorothea Beale, principal of Cheltenham
Ladies College from 1858 to 1906, reported to the schools Enquiry
Commission in 1864:
33
‘The vigorous exercise which boys get from cricket, etc., must be supplied in the
case of girls by walking and … skipping.’
From: Kathleen, E. McCrone, ‘Play up! Play up! And Play the Game:
Sport at the Late Victorian Girls Public School’.
By the 1890s, school began acquiring playgrounds and allowing girls to play some
of the games earlier considered male preserves. But the competition was still
discouraged. Dorothea Beale told the school council in 1893-1894:
‘I am most anxious that girls should not over-exert themselves, or become
absorbed in athletic rivalries, and therefore we do not play against the other
schools. I think it is better for girls to learn to take an interest in botany, geology
etc., and not make country excursions.’
From: Kathleen, E. McCrone, ‘Play up! Play up! And Play the Game’.
What does the sports curriculum of a nineteenth century girls school tell us about
the behaviour considered proper for girls at that time?
8. Imagine you are a girl from that period of time. Express your feeling in
the form of a diary entry.
9. Here are some women achievers in sports
Bachendri Pal-- First Indian
Woman to Climb
Mount Everest(1984)
Arati Saha First Indian Woman
to Swim Across English
Channel (1959)
Jackie Joyner-Kersee-- Won
three gold, one silver and two
bronze medals over four
consecutive Olympic
Games.
Writing a script
1. Create a timeline of ten woman achievers that according to you are the best.
34
2. Do you think women are disadvantaged in sports?
A television network is looking for ideas for a ten-episode new television series.
Suggest a script, on Women in Sports. Include all the information that will help the
president evaluate your idea-- including the show’s title, what kind of show it is with
specific details or features of the show that would be appealing to teenage viewers and
an example of what viewers might see in a typical episode
3. Present your views with the help of a PowerPoint presentation
Section D
Animals in Sports
1. There are many types of animal sporting events, with varying levels of participation
from humans. Some are solely between the animals while others use the animals in a
lesser role. There are some large-scale events that include animals in a variety of sports.
Name these sports
35
 What do you feel when you see these sports?
 Do you think animals enjoy these sports?
 If any one of these animals were to express themselves, what do you
think would they say?
Cock Fight
Raymond A. Foss
2. Read the poem
Sweat and avarice26
Were pungent27 under
The cloud of dust
From the pit
Arms beat in the air
Voices raised to cheer
And exhort28 the handlers
And their champion
The birds rose as one
And descended in a cloud
Of feathers, spikes, and bites
The yellow of the breastplate
Was stained crimson
With the mortal wounds
Of the loser.
Quiet did not come
26
greed
overpowering
28
strong appeal
27
36
For the barking the dogs
And their masters.
About the poet
Raymond A. Foss (1960) was born in Westfield, MA. He attended the University
of New Hampshire, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1982 and a
Master of Public Administration in 1984. He graduated from Franklin Pierce Law
Center in 2004. He started writing poetry while serving on the Barrington, NH
School Board in 2000. His first reading was for an assignment from the Reading
Specialist to each board member to bring a piece of
poetry to share at the April 20, 2000 School Board
meeting in honor of National Poetry Month. When one of
his first two poems received a favorable reaction, he
began to write poetry more regularly. He created the site
Poetry Where You Live in February 2004. There are now
over 12,325 of his poems and 901 of his photographs on
that site. When not writing poetry, he spends his time
trying to be the best Christian, husband and father to
three wonderful daughters he can be.
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me
at raymondafoss@gmail.com for copyright.
3. Answer the following questions
(a) Bring out the tone, mood and setting of the poem.
(b) What is the theme of the poem?
37
(c) What feelings does the poem evoke?
4. This poem has a lot of images. Fill in the columns. One has been done for you
Visual Imagery
Suggestion
Aural Imagery
Suggestion
(a) cloud of dust
frenzied attack
(a) Arms beat in
the air
excitement
5. Animals have been used in sports since the days of the Ancient Greeks and
Romans who used horses for chariot races. Since then, humans have used animals
in all kinds of sporting pastimes, such as equestrian (horse jumping), polo, bull
fighting and even camel racing!
Some people think that using animals in sports is cruel, while others say
animals enjoy the healthy competition as much as humans do. What do you
think? Is using animals in sports cruel? Or is it a fun way for humans and
animals to work together? Are some sports involving animals crueler than
others? What you think about animals being used in sports?
Design a brochure underlining your ideas.
6. Debate on the topic, “Using Animals in sports is sheer entertainment.”
38
Section E
The Boy Who Couldn't Bowl
(From: Line and Strength by Glenn McGrath)
1. From working the land in Narromine to winning cricket's World Cup three
times, Glenn McGrath has always faced life with fierce determination and an
unerring will to succeed, despite the odds. Following his retirement from
international cricket, McGrath shares the story of his life - in cricket and off the
field.
The sun was deep into its descent over the horizon of western New South Wales,
its long rays streaked across the outback sky, lighting it with colours that looked to
the boy like smears of drizzled honey, burnt
orange, molten gold d bronze. Normally Glenn
McGrath would have paused to admire the view.
Although he was only 16 years old, he knew
enough to realise that appreciating nature's
wonders - sunsets, sunrises, lightning storms - is
nutritious for the soul. But on this particular
evening, McGrath didn't have time to spare. He
turned his back on God's grandeur, determined to
finish his final 'job' of the day before his mum
called him in for dinner.
McGrath was bone-tired and weary. He and
Dale, his 14-year-old brother, had spent yet
another day toiling in the back paddock of the
family's Narromine property, sowing as many as
they could of its 1000 acres for the next season's
wheat crop. In years to come, McGrath would
say that not even the unforgiving heat and
39
Glenn McGrath
humidity of Pakistan or India were as exhausting as the time he had replaced his
father as the man of the family. Glenn and Dale were boys doing men's work,
thanks to the age-old farmer's curse: crippling bills and scarce income. The account
book for the 1987 season looked grim and the boys' father, Kevin, was working as
a road-train driver, transporting livestock from the Northern Territory and central
Queensland to the abattoir at nearby Dubbo.
As McGrath remembers, working the family property was a big responsibility: the
family's livelihood depended on the brothers doing a good job, and the task was
one that could quite easily have frightened him, had he allowed it to. But his
younger brother was born to work the land. Dale would lighten the mood by
waiting for Glenn to lift a heavy sack of grain from the ute - then he'd leap from
the vehicle onto his brother's back. The extra weight would crumple Glenn's skinny
legs and he'd crash to the ground in an angry cloud of dust. Dale would laugh
loudly before running for his life as his brother picked himself up and hurled
abuse, calling him 'a bloody pest'.
'It was a tough time,' Dale agrees. 'But we got through it. I liked to stir him up. But
Glenn could always find something—a bit of rock, some fibro or a golf ball - and
nine times out of ten he'd hit me.'
The weight of responsibility McGrath carried for those few weeks as the man of
the house was heavy, like the sack of grain, but he steadied himself by accepting
that he had to deal with the situation as best as he could; it was the responsibility
he had inherited as the elder son. What he felt, but couldn't then properly articulate,
was the need to worry only about controlling the controllable. This was a mantra
that would serve him well in later life: McGrath would call upon it regularly, when
he'd challenge the world to do its worst while he tried to do his best as a cricketer
and a devoted husband.
And yet there were times when he was out in the paddock that the boy wished that
Kevin would offer some fatherly advice. McGrath was not to know that out on the
road, as the kilometers rolled by, Kevin's thoughts were always with his boys and
how they were going.
‘I knew they'd do a good job,' Kevin says. 'I knew they’d work well together.'
Although the boys planned their time so that one worked for an hour while the
other took off on the other, somehow they got the work done. 'Glenn handled the
job very well, though Dale was more farm-minded - even as a little kid he would
run into the sheep yard, get knocked over and get straight back on his feet. Glenn
was more into playing his sport.'
Against the setting sun McGrath prepared to push himself one list time before
calling it a day. The dirt from the back paddock was still on his hands and in his
boots. This last job of the day wasn't a chore like feeding the chickens or tending
the lambs-- and it was as much a passion as an escape. He picked up the scuffed,
40
red leather cricket ball from the ground and prepared to bowl at the 44-gallon drum
that bore, like belly wounds, the numerous dings and dents from deliveries that had
found their mark over the years. When Glenn's mother, Beverly - better known as
Bev - heard the regular bang of --leather ball thumping into steel drum, she knew
exactly where he was - behind the shed that housed her husband's machinery. She
accepted as a healthy obsession her son's afternoon ritual of perfecting what the
respected television commentator Richie Beaud would one day call a 'nagging line
and length'. 'He's not hurting anyone or himself,' she'd say.
McGrath was a child of Australian cricket's last great depression. In the summer of
1986/87, the Australian Test team was still recovering from the void left by the
retirements of Greg Chappell, Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee two years earlier.
In the absence of these great players, the Australians were bullied, particularly by
the West Indies, whose fearsome four pronged pace attack was cricket's answer to
the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War, Famine, Pestilence and Death. They'd
starve the Aussie batsmen of runs before leaving them battered and bloodied,
humbled and humiliated. So desperate was their plight that after Test player David
Hookes had captained Joel 'Big Bird' Garner for South Australia (when Garner
played there in 1982/83), Hookes urged the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) to
consider tempting young West Indian pace aces to pledge their allegiance to the
baggy green cap, the most sought after prize for an Aussie cricketer. But as it
turned out, the ACB didn't need to look that far, because the answer to Australian
cricket's numerous prayers was in the wheat belt of western New South Wales,
bowling his heart out at an old fuel drum.
McGrath remembers the ascendancy of the West Indies during the 1980s, but it
was the grit of the opposing Australian captain that inspired him. 'The Windies was
an awesome team, and while I remember the '80s as a tough time for Australian
cricket, I also remember listening to the radio as we'd drive along and Allan Border
was batting,' says McGrath. 'He was brave. Border stood up to numerous
challenges and my dream was to play alongside him. So I trained and I dreamed.'
Bev was her son's greatest supporter, but there were others who believed he should
concentrate on basketball. He was certainly built for it - skinny as a garden rake, he
already stood well over six feet. Very few people in Narromine thought the lad had
much ability, if any, as a bowler. Indeed, his summer Saturdays playing cricket
were whiled away deep in the outfield, well away from the action. Shane
Horsburgh, McGrath's first captain at the Backwater Cricket Club under -16s,
joked that a broomstick had more talent than Glenn. McGrath had a strong arm
and an ability to slog the ball, but the boy's main role in the side seemed to be
simply to make up the numbers. Almost 21 years later, Mark Munro, the star
bowler from that under 16s team, reminisced over a cold drink about the nature of
41
those long-gone games and McGrath's wayward bowling. ‘Glenn was just too
erratic,' he says.
Glenn McGrath, the boy who couldn't bowl. But the boy who learned to bowl,
improving his accuracy during his lonely training sessions, never bothering to tell
anyone - Bev included - the reason he spent those hours fine tuning his style was
that he knew one day he'd play for Australia. It was as certain for him as the fact
that the sunrise would bring the promise of even more back-breaking labour. His
long hours were inspired by some words of wisdom the South African golfer Gary
Player once offered a supporter who wished he could hit the ball like a player. 'Go
hit a thousand balls a day and you will,' was champion's reply.
'It's about dedication,' McGrath says. 'When you know what you want to do, where
you want to go, it's up to you to put it all in place.'
On that distant evening, the 16-year-old McGrath limbered up in the near-darkness.
While his every muscle screeched agony at the prospect of more physical activity,
the boy walked towards the mark from where he'd start his long run-up. Many
thoughts swirled through his head, including the jobs that were still ahead of him
and his brother, and, more despairingly, the ever widening cracks in his parents'
marriage. There was little he could do to change the course in which his mother
and father were headed. Donna, McGrath's younger sister, says _ their parents'
eventual divorce made the three children stronger. ‘And it makes you stronger in
many ways because you have to live with
it.
When McGrath finally turned to face the
44-gallon drum, he entered a world in
which he was dressed in pristine cricket
whites and standing on the hallowed
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with the
likes of his hero, Dennis Lillee, and
champion wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh.
He had only ever seen the SCG on
television, but it was there before him in
the Narromine paddock; his mind's eye
marvelled at the large, Aussie-flagwaving
crowd in the stands. McGrath imagined
that he gripped not a war-weary ball but a
shiny red Kookaburra six-stitcher. The
order from Allan Border to get an early breakthrough against the West Indies rang
in his ears. As he commenced his run from the Bradman Stand end, his head
buzzed with commentary by Richie Benaud.
42
'The debutant prepares for his first delivery in Test cricket. Desmond Haynes on
strike; the rookie from the Australian outback versus the West Indian master. I
must say, the newcomer looks confident. He was known as 'the boy who couldn't
bowl' when he lived in outback Narromine ... Let's see what he's got ... '
McGrath was oblivious to the dust blasts his feet kicked up with each strong and
measured step that carried him towards the popping crease. He didn't see the
remnants of the wheat crop bow in the breeze or the kangaroos in the top paddock.
He didn't even hear the screeches of the cockatoos as they scrambled back to their
trees, the cicadas' chant or the bull belching and bellowing. His focus was fixed
firmly on the target 22 yards away. But as was always the case, the boy didn't see a
simple drum: instead Haynes stood before him, sleek and elegant as he tapped his
bat on the pitch in anticipation of that first delivery. Soon it would be the great Viv
Richards on strike, and then the frightening fast bowler Michael Holding would be
trying to keep the Windies' tail alive in the face of the boy's one-man assault on the
'Calypso Kings'.
Benaud's commentary continued. 'He bowls a beautifully pitched delivery. It's
bang on target ... BOWLED HIM! My goodness, the middle stump is cart wheeling
back towards the wicket keeper. I haven't seen that since the days of the great Wes
Hall. A wicket with his first delivery - welcome to Test cricket, MGrath!'
Destiny dictated that, in time, Glenn McGrath would single- handedly take the
fight to the great West Indians; he would become the game's most successful fast
bowler; his name would be revered in Australian sport and at cricket grounds
around the globe; and he would one day destroy England at Lord's, the of the noble
game. But in the meantime, he continued to dream and prepare himself for the day
opportunity knocked.
And on this particular evening, Australia's latest backyard cricketing hero was
snapped back to reality by the sound of
His mother calling out for the umpteenth time that dinner was on the table. It was
dark but he picked up the ball for one last delivery. The ‘Master Blaster' Viv
Richards was on strike. It was up to him - the boy who couldn't bowl - to tame him
before tea.
2. Answer the questions given below
1. God’s grandeur was alluring, but Glenn was determined to finish his final 'job'
of the day.
(a) What was this job?
(b) What does this reveal about his personality?
43
2. McGrath difficult childhood turned out to be the training ground for McGrath.
Elaborate.
3. When Dale say, “I liked to stir him up. But Glenn could always find
something—a bit of rock, some fibro or a golf ball - and nine times out of ten he'd
hit me.'
(a) What is he implying?
(b) What is the co-relation of the statement to Glenn becoming a celebrity?
4. What was Glenn’s growing up mantra? How would it serve him well in later
life?
5. Glenn showed the signs of a sportsman in the making. Justify.
6. McGrath was a child of Australian cricket's last great depression. Explain.
7. What does McGrath imply when he says, ‘'It's about dedication’?
8. Richie Benaud’s commentary paid a befitting compliment to young Glenn. What
was it?
9. McGrath’s success is a typical story of a child dreaming; and realizing all his
dreams. Do you agree with this statement? Why?
Writing
3. Write a biography about the person you think deserves the title “All-Time Greatest
Sports Figure.”
4. Madame Tussauds in London with branches in a number of major cities. It was
founded by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. Madame Tussauds is a major tourist attraction
in London, displaying waxworks of historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars
and famous murderers. Madame Tussauds, London has invited nominations for the wax
statute of a sports person. Suggest who you feel deserves the honour and why? Ensure the
wax statue of the person is not already there.
44
David Beckham at Madame Tussauds
5.
Spo
Madame Tussauds, London
rts
Pers
onal
ities in Advertising
Reflect , discuss and create
Discuss in small groups

Who are your favourite athletes? Do they ever appear in advertisements?
What products are advertised?

Have you bought product just because your sports hero is the brand
ambassador for that product?

Who are the types of groups that advertisers want to attract?
45

Mention some sports stars and what products would you want them to
endorse? Give reasons.

Would you like to see more of your sports stars endorsing products?

Do you think if such celebrities endorse a social cause—blood donation, no
smoking, paying taxes, for endangered wild life etc it would have a better effect?

Create an advertisement with your favourite sports hero.
Language Study
The Simple Present and Present Progressive
1. The Simple Present Tense:
a. Expresses a habit or often repeated action. Adverbs of frequency such as, often,
seldom, sometimes, never, etc. are used with this tense
Example: She goes to school everyday
b. This tense also expresses general truths or facts that are timeless.
Example: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius
2. The Present Progressive:
a. This tense is used to describe an action that is occurring right now (at this
moment, today, this year, etc.). The action has begun and is still in progress
Example: He is studying right now
b. The present progressive can also be used to describe an action that is occurring
in the present, but is temporary.
Example: Mita is playing out right now, but shall be here later
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The Simple Present and the Present Progressive are often used in commentaries on
events taking place at the moment, particularly on radio and television. In such
cases, the Simple Present is used to describe rapid actions completed at the
moment of speaking and the Present Progressive is used to describe longer-lasting
actions:
 'The debutant prepares for his first delivery in Test cricket. Desmond Haynes on
strike; the rookie from the Australian outback versus the West Indian master. I
must say, the newcomer looks confident. He was known as 'the boy who couldn't
bowl' when he lived in outback Narromine ... Let's see what he's got ... '
 'He bowls a beautifully pitched delivery. It's bang on target ... BOWLED HIM! My
goodness, the middle stump is cart wheeling back towards the wicket keeper. I
haven't seen that since the days of the great Wes Hall. A wicket with his first
delivery - welcome to Test cricket, MGrath!'
47
3. You are watching a cricket match. Describe what’s happening, to your friend, on
the phone in about six sentences.
In This Photo: Andy Ram(Bottom), Michael Llodra (L), Arnaud Clement(R)
7. Listening
Look at the picture.




Where are the children playing?
What are they using as wickets?
Is it easy to play cricket like this?
What are the risks that they face?
48

What is the risk to people around them?
Now listen to a poem about street cricket. The name is ‘SIX AND OUT (A
Street Impression) by G.D. Martineau and answer the questions given below
On the basis of your listening of the poem, tick the best option
1. The children are playing………………. on……………….
a. baseball/ ground
b. cricket/ ground
c. cricket/ road
2. The ‘motor vans and bakers’ carts disturb the game by……….
a. honking on the road
b. causing accidents
c. crossing the road
3. ‘The lamp-post’s slender stem,’ is being used as
a. wickets
b. boundary wall
c. a bat
4. ‘Harsh circumstance’ here implies………
a. unkind conditions
b. rude people
c. onlookers
5. The game was disrupted because…………
a. It was late evening
b. they broke a glass
c. people were shouting at them.
6. The title of the poem ‘Six and Out’ because……….
49
a. all players hit a six
b. all players are bowled out
c. these are cricketing terms
7. ‘The law’s majestic tread’ means……………
a.
b.
c.
arrival of angry mob
arrival of policeman
coming of traffic
8. The tone of the poem is…………………..
a. happy
b. sad
c. angry
8. Read this biography and work out the tasks given below
Jesse Owens (1913 – 1980), the son of a sharecropper and grandson of a slave,
achieved what no Olympian before him had accomplished. His stunning
achievement of four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin has made
him the best remembered athlete in Olympic history.
The seventh child of the family was named James Cleveland. "J.C.", as he was
called, was nine when the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where his new
schoolteacher gave him the name that was to become known around the world. The
teacher was told "J.C." when she asked his name to enter in her roll book, but she
thought he said "Jesse". The name stuck and he
would be known as Jesse Owens for the rest of
his life.
His promising athletic career began in 1928 in
Cleveland, Ohio where he set Junior High
School records in the high jump, and in the
broad jump. During his high school days, he
won all of the major track events, including the
Ohio state championship three consecutive
years. Owens' sensational high school track
career resulted in him being recruited by dozens
of colleges. Owens chose the Ohio State
University. He worked a number of jobs to
50
support himself and his young wife, Ruth. He worked as a night elevator operator,
a waiter, he pumped gas, worked in the library stacks, and served a stint as a page
in the Ohio Statehouse, all of this in between practice and record setting on the
field in intercollegiate competition.
While at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor on May 25, 1935, he set three
world records and tied a fourth, all in a span of about 45 minutes. Jesse was
uncertain as to whether he would be able to participate at all, as he was suffering
from a sore back as a result from a fall down a flight of stairs. But He ran the 100yard dash as a test for his back, and amazingly Jesse recorded an official time of
9.4 seconds, once again tying the world record. Despite the pain, he then went on
to participate in three other events, setting a world record in each event. In a span
of 45 minutes, Jesse accomplished what many the greatest athletic feat in history.
His success at the 1935 Big Ten Championships gave him the confidence that he
was ready to excel at the highest level. Jesse entered
the 1936 Olympics, which were held in Nazi
Germany amidst the belief by Hitler that the Games
would support his belief that the German "Aryan"
people were the dominant race. Jesse had different
plans, as he became the first American track & field
athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympiad.
This remarkable achievement stood unequaled until
the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, when
American Carl Lewis matched Jesse's feat. Although
others have gone on to win more gold medals than
Jesse, he remains the best remembered Olympic
athlete because he achieved what no Olympian
before or since has accomplished. During a time of
deep-rooted segregation, he not only discredited
Hitler's master race theory, but also affirmed that
individual excellence, rather than race or national
Owens being awarded his medal.
origin, distinguishes one man from another.
Jesse Owens proved that he was a dreamer who
could make the dreams of others come true, a speaker who could make the world
listen and a man who held out hope to millions of young people. Throughout his
life, he worked with youths, sharing of himself and the little material wealth that he
had. In this way, Jesse Owens was equally the champion on the playground of the
poorest neighborhoods as he was on the oval of the Olympic games.
He began working with underprivileged youth, which gave him his greatest
satisfaction.
Owens traveled widely in his post-Olympic days. He was an inspirational speaker,
51
highly sought after to address youth groups, professional organizations, civic
meetings, sports banquets, PTAs, church organizations, brotherhood and black
history programs, as well as high school and college commencements and
ceremonies. He was also a public relations representative and consultant to many
corporations, including Atlantic Richfield, Ford and the United States Olympic
Committee.
A complete list of the many awards and honors presented to Jesse Owens by
groups around the world would fill dozens of pages. In 1976, Jesse was awarded
the highest civilian honor in the United States when President Gerald Ford
presented him with the Medal of Freedom in front of the members of the U.S.
Montreal Olympic team in attendance. In February, 1979, he returned to the White
House, where President Carter presented him with the Living Legend Award. On
that occasion, President Carter said this about Jesse, "A young man who possibly
didn't even realize the superb nature of his own capabilities went to the Olympics
and performed in a way that I don't believe has ever been equaled since...and since
this superb achievement, he has continued in his own dedicated but modest way to
inspire others to reach for greatness".
Jesse Owens died of lung cancer in 1980 in Arizona. Although words of sorrow,
sympathy and admiration poured in from all over the world, perhaps President
Carter said it best when he stated: "Perhaps no athlete better symbolized the
human struggle against tyranny, poverty and racial bigotry. His personal triumphs
as a world-class athlete and record holder were the prelude to a career devoted to
helping others. His work with young athletes, as an unofficial ambassador
overseas, and a spokesman for freedom are a rich legacy to his fellow Americans."
Jesse's spirit still lives with the Jesse Owens Foundation. The Foundation continues
to carry on Jesse's legacy by providing financial assistance, support, and services to
young individuals with untapped potential in order to develop their talents, broaden
their horizons, and become better citizens. There is no doubt that Jesse would be
proud.
This is a gist of the hour long speech by Jessie Owens on his first Gold medal
in the Olympics:
"To those of you who laughed at me, thank you.
Without you I wouldn't have cried.
To those of you who just couldn't love me, thank you.
Without you I wouldn't have known real love.
To those of you who hurt my feelings, thank you.
Without you I wouldn't have felt them.
To those of you who left me lonely, thank you.
Without you I wouldn't have discovered myself.
52
But it is to those of you who thought I couldn't do it;
It is you I thank the most,
Because without you I wouldn't have tried."
9. On the basis of your reading of the text discuss and complete the
following tasks
1. Jesse Owens beat all of the odds and even went against what Hitler
had in mind by taking part in the Olympics in 1936. This was a
tough man who knew what he wanted to accomplish and set out to
do just that. Justify
2. Design a stamp in memory of Jesse Owens and write a passage
justifying it.
3. Owens later said, "The battles that count aren't the ones for gold
medals [but] the struggles within yourself," Justify the statement in
light of his biography.
4. As Jesse Owens, write a page in your diary expressing your
feelings after your meritorious performance at 1936 Olympics.
5. Design a commercial starring Jesse Owens.
6. Invent a new Olympic sport. There are many unusual Olympic
sports, like skeleton (running and then sledding), biathlon (skiing plus
shooting), and curling (using brooms to propel an object over ice).
Make up a new sport that would be fun to watch and play.
10. Group Activity
 Nazi Supporter, Fellow Athlete, and African American may have felt watching
Jesse Owens' victories during the track and field events. Describe, through role
plays, how each of them would have felt.
 Assuming the role of a fellow athlete, Nazi supporter or African-American, students
will write a letter to Jesse Owens describing their political views and their feelings
about his accomplishments at the 1936 Olympic Games. Make a presentation
group wise.
53
11. Interview
Carl Lewis won four gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, equaling the 1936
accomplishment of his hero, Jesse Owens. He sped to a world record in the
100 meters. Read these excerpts from his interview.
www.teenink.com/.../interviews/article/.../CarlLewis-Olympic-Lege
When did you start track and field?
What got you started?
I started when I was eight. My mother
was a teacher and a’60s feminist, so she
wanted to start a track club for girls in my
school, and since I was surrounded by it,
I took up running.
When you started running, did you realize that you were going to be great?
No! I was awful when I started! I was 5'5" until the end of tenth grade, but by the
time I graduated I was six feet. It was thanks to my parents that I actually stuck
with running. I’m sure I would have quit if it hadn’t been for them telling me not to
give up.
Who were your main influences growing up?
My parents, definitely. They were both teachers, so they taught me discipline.
Jesse Owens is another influence, too. Not only did I look up to him athletically,
but also it was because of him that I developed a love for history and politics.
What was your motivation to work so hard and endure such grueling
practices?
Since I had been such a terrible runner as a kid, always finishing behind the pack, I
felt blessed when success began to come my way. I loved that I wasn’t coming in
last! So, I guess my motivation was to stay at the front, because I knew too well
what it was like coming in last.
54
What was your proudest moment?
When my father passed away in 1987 he told me two things: first, that I should
never miss a track meet, no matter what; second, that he was proud of me. That
meant everything to me because my parents had sacrificed so much for my
running, and me, and to know that he was proud of my accomplishments made me
proud. I actually buried one of my gold medals with him.
Was it overwhelming after your first Olympics to come home and be a huge
star?
Yes! It was kind of like the hype around Michael Phelps this last Olympics. From
that first January back home, and then for nine straight months, I was on the cover
of national magazines: Time, Newsweek, GQ, Sports Illustrated, every week. [Carl
was the first person to be on the cover of Time two consecutive weeks. ]
You’re a legend. Are you ever worried that someone will come along and
snatch your titles?
No. My time has passed, but you can’t take away what I did. I’d actually like to
see someone do what I did, because looking back at it, I had no clue what I was
doing. After my first Olympics I was just 23, and it’s only now, at 43, that I’m
beginning to comprehend everything I did.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Longevity. Period. My career started in ’79 and ended with an Olympic gold in
’96. Also, consistency. Throughout my entire track and field career I stuck with
one coach, one manager, and one club.
You ended with an Olympic gold. Did you do that because you wanted to go
out with a bang?
No, I wanted to go out on my own terms. It was bizarre, though, because once I
stepped down off that podium with my medal, I had no desire to compete. It was
strange.
What are some characteristics of an Olympian?
55
Determination, being focused, and being able to get along with people. Even in
running, which is considered an individual sport, it’s important to get along with
others because you have to like and respect your coach - that’s key.
What advice would you give athletes?
Never give up. If I can make it, anyone can. I was supposed to be a horrible runner,
I was supposed to give up, but because my mom was the best liar on earth, telling
me I would grow and that I was good at running, I continued to run. And you know
how people say, “You can be whatever you want to be”? I say you will be
whatever you want to be. You just have to be a leader, not a follower, choose to
make a difference, help people, and you will be whatever you aspire to be.
1.
2.
3.
4.
12. Answer the following questions
If you were to meet Carl Lewis, what five questions would you like to ask him?
What do you think would be his response?
What is that one answer in his interview that you have really appreciated? Why?
After reading his interview what do you think of Carl Lewis? What are his
strengths?
13. Writing
1. Dialogue Writing
If Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens were to meet, what do you think would they
discuss?
Write a dialogue that brings out their childhood, achievements and values.
2. Sportsman Spirit—speech writing
 What is sportsman spirit?
 How does sportsman spirit help us in ordinary life?
56
 If people do know the value of the sporting spirit why then the rarity or the absence
of it?
 How can one develop it?
Write a speech for the morning assembly encouraging the students to develop
Sportsman spirit?
14. Language Study
Articles, and determiners are those little words that precede and modify nouns.
Determiners are different to pronouns in that a determiner is always
followed by a noun. Therefore personal pronouns ( I , you , he , etc.) and
possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, etc.) cannot be determiners.
The definite and indefinite articles a/an/the are all determiners.
You use a specific determiner when people know exactly which thing(s) or
person/people you are talking about.
The specific determiners are:
the definite article : the
demonstratives : this, that, these, those
possessives : my, your, his, her, its, our, their
A, An or The
The and a/an are called "articles". We divide them into "definite" and
"indefinite" like this:
Articles
Definite Indefinite
the
a, an
57
 We use "definite" to mean sure, certain. "Definite" is particular.
 We use "indefinite" to mean not sure, not certain. "Indefinite" is
general.
When we are talking about one thing in particular, we use the. When we are
talking about one thing in general, we use a or an.
Think of the sky during the day.
 I saw the Sun
Think of the sky at night. We see one moon and millions of stars. So
normally we would say:
 I saw the moon last night.
 I saw a star last night.
Rule 1
When you have a single, countable English noun, you must always have an article
before it.
We cannot say "please pass me spoon", we must say "please pass me the spoon" or "please
pass me a spoon " .
Nouns in English can also be uncountable. Uncountable nouns can be concepts, such as
'joy', 'happiness' and so on, or materials and substances, such as 'sugar', or 'wood'.
Rule 2
Uncountable nouns don't use 'a' or 'an'. This is because you can't count them.
For example, advice is an uncountable noun. You can't say "he gave me an advice", but you
can say "he gave me some advice", or "he gave me a piece of his mind".
Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable. For example, we say "coffee" meaning
the product, but we say "a coffee" when asking for one cup of coffee.
Rule 3
You can use 'the' to make general things specific.
You can use 'the' with any type of noun – plural or singular, countable or uncountable.
"Children grow up quickly" – children in general.
"The children I know grow up quickly" – not all children, just the ones I know.
58
More uses of articles in English
Rivers, mountain ranges, seas, oceans and geographic areas all use 'the'.
For example, "The Thames", "The Alps", "The Atlantic Ocean", "The Middle East".
Unique things have 'the'.
For example, "the sun", "the moon".
Some institutional buildings don't have an article if you visit them for the reason
these buildings exist. But if you go to the building for another reason, you must use
'the'.
"Her husband is in prison." (He's a prisoner.)
"She goes to the prison to see him once a month."
"My son is in school." (He's a student.)
"I'm going to the school to see the head master."
"She's in hospital at the moment." (She's ill.)
"Her husband goes to the hospital to see her every afternoon."
Musical instruments use 'the'.
"She plays the piano."
Sports don't have an article.
"He plays football."
Illnesses don't have an article.
"He's got appendicitis."
But we say "a cold" and "a headache".
Jobs use 'a'.
"I'm a teacher."
Countries
We don't use 'a' if the country is singular. "He lives in England." But if the country's
name has a "plural" meaning, we use 'the'. "The People's Republic of China", "The
Netherlands", "The United States of America".
59
Continents, towns and streets don't have an article.
"Arabia", "Asia", "Shimla".
Theatres, cinemas and hotels have 'the'.
"The Pacific", "The Taj".
Abbreviations use 'the'.
"the UN", "the USA"
We use 'the' before classes of people.
"the rich", "the British".
The general determiners are:
the indefinite articles : a, an
few
fewer
a few
both
less
a little each
little
all
either
many
another enough
more
any
every
most
much
neither
no
other
several
some
I. Fill in the blanks with ‘a’ ‘an’, or ‘the. In case you feel none of them is
required put a cross(X).
Not everything in ….X…wrestling is
fake. Recently, during ..a… World
Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) event,
..a… real fire mishap engulfed The
Undertaker!
For ….an ….experienced wrestler it was
..a… truly scary moment. ..The ..acident
took place during ..the.. Elimination
Chamber event in St. Louis. …The …
WWE star was caught in …the… middle
of ..a.. giant fireball. But instead of doing
60
..the.. stop, drop and roll, ..the… wrestler shook it off, threw his jacket to
..the… floor and entered ..the… ring. He was checked by medics before
…the…match.
..The…. WWE star was engulfed in …X…..flames when pyrotechnics went
off too early as he entered …the… ring. He threw off his trademark anklelength coat after it caught …X…fire.
II. Fill in the blanks with suitable articles/ determiners. In case you feel none
of them is required put a cross(X).
….An ….Australian woman fell to her death in
Malaysia when …her…. parachute failed to open after
she jumped off …a… tower for ..a… parachuting
event.
Kylie Tanti Marion, 42, was performing …her…. third
jump yesterday while practising at …the… Alor Setar
Tower in Alor Setar, northern Malaysia – …the
second-highest tower in …the…. country.
"I saw her struggling to pull open …the… parachute
but her attempt failed," said …a …to …the…. Star
newspaper.
Marion, …an… experienced skydiver. She was among
two dozen foreign and local participants preparing for
…the…. KL Tower International Jump. …The… KL
tower is …..X….Malaysia's highest structure and one
of the tallest telecommunications towers in …the…. world.
…The…. Management said they had taken …all… safety measures. Accidents
are…few…. but the possibility cannot be ruled out.
61
Section F: After Sports Day
John Forster (1812-1876)
1. Discuss the following questions
 Suppose a father, when at school, took part in a race, came last, and felt
ashamed and humiliated. Would he encourage his son to take part in races?
 Do you think parents re-live their ambitions through their children?
 Write about a person you have known/ heard/ read about who could not
succeed but helped his child do so?
 How do parents feel, then, at the success of their child?
2. Read this poem about one such father
Stung by the taunting 29 laughter
As I panted30 in last,
Having been forced to take part
So as not to let the side down,
I climbed to the top of the chestnut
And tearfully vowed
That no son of mine
Would run against his will.
Why is it
That twenty years on
I feel a father's pride,
Watching my son
Come striding first to the finish
Forgetting the agony
Of the forlorn31 figure
Trailing- in
Last.
29
unkind
breathe heavily
31
sad
30
62
3. Answer the following questions
1. Whose 'taunting laughter' hurt the little boy?
2. The father did not want his son to undergo the humiliation he had suffered.
How
3. Why is the father proud of his son?
4. Do you think the father and son enjoyed themselves on Sports Day?
5. Who do you think is the hero—father or son?
4. Writing
1. Write the Father’s letter to his friend describing the proud moment.
2. Look at the two graphics given below.
Write an article for your school magazine expressing your opinion.
63
Project: Great Sporting Achievements
I. Throughout the sporting calendar there are opportunities for the greatest athletes
to the world why they're the best, whether that be in one of the four-yearly events
like the Summer and Winter Olympics or Commonwealth games, or in annual
championships like Wimbledon and the Grand National.
What according to you are some of the greatest achievements in sport of all time?
Plot them on a timeline and justify your choice.
II. Create a fictional sports magazine featuring you or a famous sports legend
on the cover.
1. Research major events in sports history, policies, and movements that have
enabled athletes to achieve their dreams. Identify various heroes and heroines
throughout the history of sports programs.
2. Design your own sports magazine. Focus on a specific sports hero of the past or
yourself as a sports hero of today or the future.
3. Add a catchy title and cover story headlines.
4. Compile information you researched into articles for your magazine.
5. Design an advertisement for your own sports history museum for the back
cover.
Suggested Reading
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Greatest: My Own Story: Muhammad Ali
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens by Jeremy Schaap,
"Goal" autobiography of Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand
Tom Brown's Schooldays by Thomas Hughes.
Movie
1. The Jesse Owens Story (TV 1984) - IMDb
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