The most important duty of a sportsman/woman is to respect the rules, regulations and ethics in sports and abide by them. A sportsman/woman should have a basic understanding of the rules and regulations of the sport. A player should be trained to accept the decisions of umpires with respect. Such sportsmen and women are considered well behaved and self disciplined and earn the respect of the public.
Last year you learned about the importance of being law abiding and courteous in sports as well as in your day to day life. You also learned that sport fosters mutual respect and tolerance of, and respect for, different views.
Rules and regulations are an agreed set of conventions in accordance with which a sport has to be conducted.
Although the origin of sports rules and regulations is not known exactly it is reported that certain rules and regulations had been in place during the first Olympic games in 776 BC. With the development of sports and the increase of competition in it, the rules and regulations have evolved to their present status undergoing change from time to time.
Sports are governed by rules and regulations. Any game has a set of rules that tell us how it is played. Rules applicable in organized games and athletics are formulated by the relevant international sports bodies.
Rules are necessary to ensure fairness and equality to all in sports. Regulations are to form terms and conditions being within the frame of rules.
Moral principles and values that govern a person's conduct are referred to as ethics. In sports, ethics call for good behaviour, observing traditions so that the sport can be conducted in accordance with its rules and regulations.
Your elders may have taught you what is accepted by the society as
ethical. Ethics are essential to have a good society. How far do you observe them?
1. For the existence of sports
2. To protect the rights of the participants
3. To minimize accidents
4. To encourage participation in sports with enthusiasm
5. To obtain fair victory at competitions
6. For fair play
7. To maintain the dignity of sports
8. To minimize disputes
9. To develop good personal values
If every individual in this society is law abiding, the entire society will be law abiding. You can contribute to building such a society.
Let us consider how adhering to the rules, regulations and ethics in sports are important to you, your family, your school and the society.
The benefits that you and your family will get by adhering to rules, regulations and ethics in sports
Therefore you should try to be an individual who follows rules, regulations and ethics in sports. Then you will be accepted in the field of sports and in the society as a law abiding and respected person.
The benefits that a school enjoys by adhering to rules, regulations and ethics in sports
Other than the ones mentioned above, there are many more benefits as well. If respect for rules and regulations and due observance of ethics can be ensured at individual, family and school levels, the society you belong to will automatically become a law abiding and disciplined society.
The benefits derived by the society by adhering to rules, regulations and ethics
Your duty and responsibility in relation to rules, regulations and ethics in sports
1. Honour the decision of the umpire/referee
As a sportsman/woman it is important that you honour the decision or the ruling of the umpire or referee. You should always;
• Appreciate the services rendered by umpires and referees.
• Treat them with respect from the beginning to the end of the game.
• Humbly and courteously acknowledge when a fault is pointed out.
• Avoid arguing with, insulting or being sarcastic of an umpire/ referee.
• If you think that a decision is wrong, present your case through the captain of your team in a lawful manner.
2. Develop qualities of good sportsmanship
It is important to know good qualities of sportsmanship when participating in sports. It includes;
• Acting with team spirit
• Acting with a sense of fairness
• Accepting victory and defeat equally well
• Act as a leader when required
• Accept the captain's decisions
• Be courteous, friendly, patient and courageous.
3. Encourage others to abide by rules and regulations
As much as you develop sportsmanship qualities, encourage others to do so too. Other school children, people in the society and spectators will then be encouraged to respect rules and regulations and observe ethics. Don't approve of the conduct of those who undermine rules, regulations and ethics. Even if you lose the game, avoid violating rules and regulations.
Rules and regulations are prescribed to conduct a sport well.
Ethics in sports are the moral principles and values that govern the conduct of sportsmen and women. Ethics help in conducting the sport according to its rules and regulations.
Respecting rules and regulations and observing ethics in sports will make you, your family, your school and the society benefit in day to day activities.
Your co-operation is necessary to maintain respect for rules and regulations and encourage ethical conduct in sports.
It is your duty to respect decisions of umpires or referees, develop good qualities of sportsmanship and encourage others to obey rules and regulations in sports.
Acting with due regard for rules and regulations and behaving ethically in sports will earn you the recognition of being a well-mannered individual and pave the way to become a law abiding citizen in the future.
