By: Natalie
Shobana Ambrose
theSun, Malaysia
(pg 14) August 22, 2013
When
photos of Dennis Rodman watching a basketball game between the North Korean
side and four from the US Harlem Globetrotters appeared in the media, CNN wrote
"If any American has the power of persuasion over North Korea's defiant
young ruler, it might be eccentric ex-basketball star Dennis Rodman."
An unlikely diplomat, yet here is a basketball player
infamous for bright coloured hair, tattoos and piercings not just sitting with
supreme leader Kim Jung-un but making holiday plans with him too.
On a global scale though, suddenly and perhaps
unwillingly basketball fans who were not too concerned with world politics or
knew little about this hermit country were inevitably surrounded by news and
stories of North Korea. Suddenly it wasn't just about the game, there were
other issues to consider and realities to deal with.
The 1981 Springboks rugby union tour of New Zealand
which saw the formation of the riot-group Red Squad to quell confrontations
between rugby supporters and anti-apartheid protesters is another example of
how sport forces us to gain insights into the rest of the world.
The Kiwi police were issued with long batons, riot
shields and helmets for the very first time. Perhaps not a shining example of
sports diplomacy, but nonetheless an example of how sports highlights stories
that might otherwise be ignored.
Nelson Mandela deciphered this code, recalibrating a
country torn by apartheid through rugby unity. In 1995, rugby was very much
considered a white man's sport but when Mandela donned the green and gold
jersey at the finals and handed over the World Cup trophy to the Springboks
captain Francois Pienaar, South Africa's slogan "one team, one
nation" paved the way for the nation's healing. Today, rugby among other
things, has played a vital role in uniting South Africa.
Inspiring stories such as these are also a testament
of the power of sports. Sports has a unique way of gaining access to places
that are otherwise challenging.
This week in Afghanistan, an international friendly
between Afghanistan and Pakistan is being promoted. The FIFA-sanctioned match
is bringing together two countries politically at odds with each other, to play
an international friendly.
It's the first home game in 10 years for the
Afghanistan side and the last time they played against Pakistan (in Kabul) was
in 1977, close to 40 years ago. So you can imagine the excitement. Where the
politicians have not been successful, football has highlighted the unheard
stories of these countries.
When the Afghan Premier League is in season, the famed
Ghazi stadium notoriously known for executions, mutilations and stonings not
too long ago is also a place where the other stories are told; stories far from
the harsh realities of the brutal past, stories of humanity, joy, perseverance
and hope.
This is then transmitted to the rest of the world, and
slowly from where we are standing, that side of the world is no longer grey,
blurry and messy, but it is about people just like you and me, and we then
start to see the country and people through a different lens, one that is more
relatable.
These are some of the intangible benefits of sports. A
goal, touch down, home run or basket is a language we universally understand.
It's amazing how sports creates social cohesion.
At the World Sports Values Summit for Peace in Tokyo
recently, many Olympic champions shared their stories about bringing home the
gold medal. One athlete mentioned that he had brought home a silver medal and
was told, that was nice, now go and bring back the gold.
These athletes belong
to countries that have gold sprees at the Olympics and Malaysia pales in
comparison. We are yet to win an Olympic gold medal, and perhaps for many that
is considered an embarrassment. However the true value of our medals are not in
their colour but how sports has brought us together.
For a country that is obsessed with race and
ethnicity, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, our silver Olympic medallist, represents unity.
When away from the badminton court, he has to identify himself as ethnically
Chinese with every form he fills, but when Chong Wei plays against Chinese
national Lin Dan, he is automatically Malaysian first and the whole country is
behind him.
For many countries, a silver medal does not mean much
but for a country like ours that is multi-cultural yet divided, sports brings
unity and instils a spirit of hope which is a soothing balm to the soul.
A similar story can be said of our Olympic bronze
medallist Pandelela Rinong Pamg. Not only does she represent her Bidayuh
community, she has the support of Malaysians the world over.
Sometimes diplomats don't have to be geared up in suits,
ties and with translators nearby, sometimes they also wear gym clothes and
boxing gloves.
Natalie would like to pay tribute to our
Malaysian coaches, athletes and their families. Thank you for all that you
sacrifice.
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