| Sports |
Sportsmanship, the
way to go
By BARNABAS PONDROS
“Sportsmanship is the best thing you can achieve in sports. It
will always keep you in the game longer. Win or lose!”
This is the belief of 22 year old, John Pulu Jr, a big guy with
big ambitions for softball - the sport he loves. Pulu is keen on
becoming the best at his sport by up holding the banner of
sportsmanship.
He believes that if all sports men and women had this frame of
mind, playing and watching sports would become much more fun and
enjoyable.
Good sportsmanship says Pulu is not just what you project on the
field; it is your conduct off the field.
Pulu is my colleague at work. The first time I met him I thought
he was a couch potato who spent his weekends watching TV or
playing computer games. The fact that he is a Computer Science
graduate from the University of Technology gave me this
impression.
On the contrary, I found out that Pulu is a remarkable softball
player who has represented PNG to the mini SP games in Palau.
This Manusian and New Irelander by origin began his softball
career at the age of ten in the Lae Junior Competition in 1995.
Not because he really wanted to but it was a family past time.
He says softball is a family oriented sport because it involves
the family unit.
In softball you tend to find all members of the family supporting
or participating in teams.
“Its family oriented, unlike most other sports, you get to meet
and socialize with people and their family every weekend, and
that’s what I like,” said Pulu.
Pulu developed a keen interest and skill in the sport and by 2002
he was a big part of the Lae team and still is today.
2005 presented a breakthrough for Pulu when he was chosen to be a
member of team PNG to the Mini South Pacific Games in Palau. They
won silver, for Pulu, it was an outstanding start to his softball
career.
To be part of a silver medal winning team on his debut and on
international soil will remain a highlight of his softball career.
“Definitely, wearing the PNG colors to the Mini SP Games in Palau
was a great experience for me, and very much the highlight of my
career,” said Pulu.
Pulu is a big hitter who towers over his opponents as the guardian
of either the first or third base for his team the mighty Manalos
or while on call for the Lae team.
He may have missed out on selection for the 2007 Samoa South
Pacific Games but his heart and mind are steadfast, set and
determined with big ambitions for his softball future.
His attitude is admirable, because win or lose, selection or not,
Pulu displays good sportsmanship and remain focused to be the best
on and off the field.
Pulu says “For the next few years, probably until the age of 30
I’d like to play more international games for Papua New Guinea.
What of the future? “After I retire from competitive playing, I’d
really like to share my skills and experience with young
softballers through administration or even coaching.”
Pulu believes sports can have an impact in changing our community
and society.
“Sports are good for the community. It’s a past time and is
socially healthy for players and audiences. It keeps everyone
occupied, entertained and away from bad habits and is an important
social aspect,” Pulu said.
Pulu has some advice for sportsmen and women, “Remember every time
we go out and play, we are being watched. We may not realize it
but someone, possibly a young person, is observing you and how you
act. As sportspersons your actions, attitudes and behavior may
have a considerable impact, positive or negative, on them.”
“What they see on a softball diamond or soccer field will set a
healthier example for them,” he said.
For aspiring young softballers or sportsman Pulu encourages them
to ‘uphold good attitudes and be good sports people and to condone
unfair, dishonest, disrespectful and unethical attitudes and
behaviors.’
And if we all perform to the best of our abilities within the
concept of good sportsmanship, we as spectators or players should
all have an enjoyable season and our lives will be better.
 
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