It is because you can relate to that athlete at some small level, when I mean relate—I mean you can see why he is similar to you. Similarity does not necessarily mean you need to hit a tennis ball around too, or you need to travel like a submarine under water.
I am discussing similarity at a psychological level. I personally adore Lleyton Hewitt, you know why? The bloke is 5’10, 140 odd pounds…and he reached the pinnacle of tennis by sheer force of will, tenacity and determination.
Economists called it the ‘Lagrange’ multiplier—in simple words, MAP theory (Maximisation of Available Potential). With what he was naturally endowed upon him (weight, height and physical framework), Lleyton Hewitt maximized every ounce of resource he had at his disposal to reach World No. 1 status.
It's inspirational, proves to you that you don’t always need to be the smartest kid in class to top the class. There are many other admissible ways to do it—and Lleyton just proved in the biggest of stages as to what is required. I can connect with that, at a nano-scale. I am no Albert Einstein (as in UM we say, Ol’ man Albert), but to be extremely successful in what you pursue with passion, you don’t need to be, there are many pathways to achieve the same objective.
I derive tremendous inspiration from Lleyton Hewitt. Absolutely the same with Rodge, I could not care any shred less if he was Swiss, he makes me want to watch the game, love the game, adore the game.
So does it really matter to me or any one of us, whether Lleyton Hewitt is Aussie (and a brash one at that) or Federer is Swiss?
On to the second part of my argument.
Why does it radiate a lack of global cultural understanding? Because when the soccer world cup is on, you cannot discount 1/3rd of the global population (China and India). How many of you have been to Madras, Mumbai or Shanghai—when the soccer world cup or even better...the European Championships (not even an Asian connection) is on?
If one sets crystallized geographical boundaries for inclinations, two billion people on Planet Earth should be indifferent during the entire tournament. It is almost like we were asking them, you are not English, why bother celebrating when Gerrard scores his vintage midfield screamer against Portugal? You aren’t Brazilian, why even root for and enjoy every movement of the salsa mystique that Ronaldinho brings to the field?
It’s an insult at best…you can’t ask them why they root for, whom they foot for, because of the fact that they are not from the same geographical location of the team. Neither is it rational to expect indifference from them, for the same nationalistic drivel.
People can support anyone they want, it is not a favor you render to them, it’s their Prerogative! They neither need condescension nor your permission. Once again, it’s their unquestionable prerogative.
Sport transcends almost everything…it goes ‘Beyond Boundaries’. It is inspirational!
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