“A soccer field is also a place where you can learn morals; on this field, you can become generous, tolerant, hardworking, honest, and one who gives their life for the truth. You can also learn to be selfless. Whilst on the field, you can develop a spirit of sacrifice. For instance, you are dribbling the soccer ball, and you come to a point where if you kick the ball correctly, you could score a goal, however, there is a greater risk [of losing the ball]. If, on the other hand, you pass the ball to someone else and they kick it, you would surely score a goal. At such a juncture, you are presented with two possibilities: If you score a goal, you will be praised, and if you pass to someone else – who will surely score a goal – then the whole team would receive admiration. What should your responsibility be at such a juncture? You should forgo your desire of being praised and pass the ball to your teammate so that your whole team earns admiration. When you become selfless like this, then when you grow older, it will not be difficult for you to make even the greatest of sacrifices.
Similarly, in the case that someone shoulders you, you are presented with two possibilities: Either you allow enmity to settle in your heart and intend on severely hitting the other person when he passes by you, or you consider his action to be a mistake and forgive him. As a result, you remain silent. If he repeats this mischievous behaviour, you should call it out because his ill actions should not cause you to act in a like manner. From this, you will learn to forgive and overlook, and you will not break any rules or laws.
May Allah enable us all to strive, with great efforts, to create an environment of healthy competition, where one Khadim motivates and inspires his brother to excel in his morals. May we fulfill and achieve the purpose of this competition, and may Allah the Almighty enable us to develop lofty morals and improve our moral character whilst also improving our physical condition. Ameen.