InterHouse Championships

IHC is a massive competition. In fact, it is the only competition that binds and involves the whole school. It is a platform where students can come together despite the multitude of inherent differences that exist among unique characters, fighting together for a shared victory under a common identity. It is an arena where friendships are forged, battles are waged, tears are shed, blood is laid; where momentarily loss brings about a communion and shared understanding among players, and where defeat strengthens the resolve of a united community to win. It is a game where everyone and ANYONE can enjoy together! That is what I truly believe.

Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.

But contrary to popular refrain, or rather to the essence of the above quote, it does not always bring out the best. In my humbled opinion, it evokes emotions. And Man's emotions can be good and bad at times. Who in their right minds would like the feeling of losing anyway? To suffer the dreaded feeling of helplessness and sadness as the game comes to an end, and despite all the hardwork put into it, the result is none too favourable? Competitions are supposed to bring out the best in us, not provide an avenue for the negative side of us to rear its ugly head! When we lose, we do not let our new-found fear of losing rule our head. When we lose, we be a man and recognise the duty at hand and continue waging the war in a positive and healthy attitude! Competition by itself can never be magnificant - it is the people who make it so.

IHC is just like any other competition - and in competition, you win some and you lose some - that is the nature of it and there is nothing we can do about it. Chance is a crucial and often overlooked entity that plays a very heavy role in games. In fact, I would even declare (albeit slightly audaciously) that chance is the key determinant of competitions. The preparations done before that simply increases the chance, or what some has familiarly termed 'luck', of winning the game. Chance favours the prepared minds. The old adage certainly sums up the point nicely.

Competition is easier to accept if you realize it is not an act of oppression or abrasion - I've worked with my best friends in direct competition.

The most important thing in competition lies in the mindset of the players. When we adopt a particular mindset e.g. being too competitive or aggressive, we tend to view events through a filter, and try to distort them to fit our impression of what it should be, instead of looking at it in an objective manner. If I may draw a analogy, it would be like fitting a size-10 feet into a size-8 shoe, and when we cannot fit comfortably into it, we begin to feel irritated and frustrated. Subscribing to a fixed perspective often prevents us from seeing things in a healthy and correct perspective too - it is like wearing a flawed spectacles over our perfect eyesight! This, in many ways, warps our impression of events and unsettles ourselves. Thus, it is imperative that we should accept and assume that all competition and players involved are inherently friendly. We would not aggravate or provoke anyone intentionally. Even if something unintentionally invokes strong emotions, give your friend the benefit of the doubt and trust that he did not do it for any sadistic purposes.

soooo much to talk! but i'm tired already. it's 4am. ihc ftw! bb ftw! everyone ftw! enjoy the last few ihcs of the year and have lots and lots of fun together! wheeeeeeeeeeeeee...