[From Francis J. Kong’s PhilStar Column, September 24, 2011]
I was working out in a gym one time, and standing beside me was a tall guy who was smiling at me. Apparently he recognized me. I smiled back and said, “You’re so tall you must be a basketball player.” He replied, “Oh yes. I do play once in a while.”
The gym attendant looked at me with amazement. He couldn’t understand what had just happened. When the tall guy walked away, the attendant asked me, “Sir, you don’t follow basketball do you?”
“Unfortunately not,” I said, “Why?”
And the attendant replied, “That gentleman is a professional basketball player in the country! He’s a superstar – and you don’t know him?! Tsk, tsk, tsk…”
The funny thing is, I used to play basketball for my high school varsity team, until one day I realized that basketball is not for midgets like me. I’m 5’7” and a half.
I remember somebody saying that he doesn’t like sports. “I’ve had it! I quit that business once and for all,” he ranted. “You won’t be able to get me near one of those places ever again!” Here are some reasons why people won’t go to sports games:
- Every time I watch a game, people ask me for money!
- The people with whom I had to sit didn’t seem very friendly!
- The seats are too hard and not at all comfortable!
- I went to many games, but the coach never came to call on me!
- The referee made a decision I didn’t agree with!
- Some games go into overtime, and I get late going home!
- The band played some numbers that I’ve never heard before!
- It seems that games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
- I was taken to too many games by my parents when I was growing up.
- I don’t want to take my children to any games because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.
- I suspected that I was sitting with some hypocrites – they really came to see their friends and what they’re wearing rather than to see the game.
You can read the whole thing HERE.
Jojo Agot 