See you, the volleyboys | Teen Ink

See you, the volleyboys

December 25, 2023
By Anonymous

Hainan, a place known for its safety, provides solace for my soul. As a student who lacks access to equal resources, I often feel that excelling in a sport belongs exclusively to those who can afford expensive tutoring and dedicate their time to it. There seems to be an insurmountable wall that separates us, not just in terms of academic efficiency but also in the opportunity to get access to experienced coaches and training conditions. With little confidence to argue my case, I remain silent.
However, upon returning to my hometown, I encountered a group of young boys playing volleyball barefoot, wearing their everyday clothes. With a sense of pride and confidence, I asked if I could join them. To my surprise, they accepted my request and taught me the skills of the game without hesitation. They selflessly shared their knowledge with no expectation of anything in return. In fact, they willingly sacrificed their own time to help me, their future competitor. This act astounded me, as in the competitive atmosphere of the city, no one would waste their valuable resting time to teach their rivals.
At this moment, I find myself facing two imaginary enemies: technical barriers and a lack of resources. In a group of individuals who are not skilled or resourceful, efforts and resources seem to be disregarded, while enthusiasm is the only driving force. We should be amazed at the arduous cultivation of each specialty and express gratitude to those who have enabled us to develop such abilities and compete with our peers on an equal footing.
What we truly need is love, free from ulterior motives. Love and dedication will minimize the costs associated with time, while technology and experience will only serve as tools. Talents accumulated through time and money are not the most valuable, but rather the passion for them. If we recognize this, technical expertise will not become a bragging capital or a criteria for dividing people into different classes. Rather, it will be an expression of love and passion. We should praise those who are willing to dedicate their time, energy, and money to their passion. They do not judge others based on their technical skills, but rather value them based on their shared enthusiasm. They are willing to include anyone within their community, regardless of skill level.
In conclusion, love, alongside hard work, is the most beautiful thing in the world. Hard work and access to resources should not be exclusive to those who can afford it. Instead, we should prioritize the passion and dedication individuals bring to their pursuits. In doing so, we can break down the barriers that separate us and create a more inclusive and supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to excel.


The author's comments:

This article was written after an exhilarating volleyball match, where I returned to my hometown of Hainan and joined a group of barefooted young boys to learn volleyball. There, I realized the power of passion - their passion would make this sport more vibrant. Money, time, and sweat become insignificant in front of passion, and advanced skills are just the result of long-term perseverance in love. This is different from big cities, where volleyball players seem to focus on competing in terms of money, time, and technical costs which can be showed by their skills. They are reluctant to share their techniques, only aiming to gain a competitive edge within the group.


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