Badminton Tournament & the comeback.
May the name of the Lord be praised.
Let me share with u, my journey over the last few days in my army Enginner inter-unit competition.
Since last monday, for several days, I was the team leader among a group of 11 National serviceman and 3 Older 'regular' commanders representing my unit. We had spent several days training and finalizing our squad just two weeks before. But in that 2 weeks, we tried to train as much as our schedule would allow. N being the underdog team, we successful met our target of reaching the semi-finals just 2 days ago. But we knew we weren't going to win against our opponents if we had used the same line-up and strategy as before. So our team took a risk and reshuffled our packs. Even on monday, a public holiday, the main players met and came to train together. It showed our committment. N our reward was a convincing 5-nil win, meaning that all our players won their games.
N this morning, we played our finals. Our team was still the underdog team, since we had lost previously in total matches against our oppents today. On paper, man for man, they seem to have the better team..and as the defending champion, they even brought over 30+supports tat made the atmosphere really exciting.
Thus with high tension, the matches played out mini-drama style. Our first single was a give-away of sorts, becoz we had field our weaker singler player hoping that they would have done the same. Instead, they field a highly experienced player who won the match in such a short time, our second singles player had hardly warmed up.
The second singles was a much closer affair, becoz we had placed our best singles player against their best. Both players had perfect records, and both were quality players.After a great see-saw battle........my team lost. Thus, we were down 2-0. Another match lost, n it would have been over.
Again, like in the singles, the oppostion had a more impressive line-up, and in a tense first set, they won..sending their supports wild with joy. But our team still fought on. We still cheered in great voice to motivate our players. N then, things got better, our team started winning more points, n soon the second set was won by us. N then the third n decisive set was won, thru the sheer grit of players n their ability to play well despite the pressure of their supports screaming just feets away. The tide had turned.
Next up, was the veteran doubles. Finally, our team seemed to be on the advantage. N easily, we won to put the total match score to a respectable 2-2. Thus it was the final match left. Our second doubles, our team had a slight edge. This pair had been playing together from the start of the tournament, n on their day, they seem to one of the best, but also, they were able to self-destruct by making all the unforced errors.
So the stage was set. N for anyone who have ever witness a badminton finals, you would know that the doubles was always going to be the most exciting. N what a match it was. There was drama throughout. From the start, the opposition had an early lead by over 6points. It seemed, my team would self-destruct once again. But it didn't happen. Bit by bit, point by point, our team finally catch up and took over the match. The first set was won after a twenty minute battle, with us, winning by a 8 or 9 point margin. But the crowd knew there was more to come. So when we took the customary break between the sets, the opposition had all their best players discussing tactis on how to overcome us. My team didn't do any of tat. Becoz the last time they recieved 'instructions', from a winning streak, they lost the match overall. Thus, our team just cheer in good voice. N boy, the second set was tense too. The suspension and the drama when a point was won or lost, the passion showed by all four players was amazing. N the crowd was into the match. I noticed, hardly anybody left, instead more people stream in. N after another great show, 20 minutes plus, the deciding match and tournament was won by our team. The last set was won by a 11 points margin.
Wat passion n joy was displayed! Cheers and high-fives were exchanged throughout. We had finally won and brought back the challenge trophy after 10years! The comeback was complete. But it wasn't just tat, our team had not stopped cheering and supporting each other. In a sport like badminton where individual performance plays a big part, this team showed something more. It wasn't just 1 or 2 players playing, instead it felt like it was all 11 players each time. N you could see the passion on every face throughout. Reserve or first-team had no difference, and as a team, we went over to thank our opposition for such an exciting match. Even the crowd supporters were acknowledge for their presence. It was great.
N the prize presentation was such a nice moment.
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To me, all this wasn't possible without God's blessings.
Becoz, we were the underdog team. But we didn't roll-over. We stood and fought. For one another. Surely, united we stand, and divided we fall.

but for me, even if we didn't win the tournament, I had so much to give thanks for. Becoz, I was a team leader and player so short of confidence. I don't always show it, but my partner knew that I doubted myself. Thus even when we won, we were often scolded when we allowed players that weren't our standard, to lose by such a respectable margin. I remembered my commander scolding us when we lost our one n only match in the group format. But today, it was different.
Esp for me. Physically, I was more exhausted since, each time after the morning matches, I had either go back to camp for work or head down to my ex-coach's shop to help re-string my team mates rackets. So I was dead-beat. I even slept at 10++pm last night. But last night, n the night before, I cried out. I ask God not to make me understand wat's going on with my life but..to make me sensitive to him, to his love once again. N tat's y last night's entry was only the beautiful verse. It was a start of a difference. I became so desperate for him. Even when I played today, I was praying to him throughout. During the match, while trying to salvage a shot, I dived forward, n in the process, my hip slid and hit full force onto the metal poles securing the net in play. The pain was instant, but prayer made it minute then. N God gave me all that I ask for, the calmness and metal strength, the focus and the confidence to win. When my partner n I won our match, I kissed my unit logo o(n the t-shirt I was wearing) representing my unit n the ring I wore. For me, the ring was a symbol of God's love for me, and my love ones now gone from me.
I kissed it to thank him for his blessings that I don't deserve.
N to me, the signifiance of today's win, isn't the prizes or the bragging rights, becoz God ensure my humility with the brusie at my hip..but an assurance to me, that God is always with me, hears my prayers and wants me to get back again for him.
To me, he has restored me. I don't believe much of the self-inflicting lies anymore. N I will not let his work for me to be in vain.

Today, I have won a tournament and got back some confidence..but it doesn't change one thing. I'm a winner thru the victory of the cross and his perfect love. Everyday, I'm a winner in him. N for those who can guess, which match I played today.. if u can guess it..drop your answer into the comments section..I may have a surprise for u.
Cheers.