Looking back at how time went by, I discovered it has been over ten (10) years I took a (will I say; naive) decision to quit football.
Growing up on a bright side of education, being on second position in class consequitively which got me a scholarship all through primary school, and being on good note with teachers. These all continued even when I changed school due to some certain reasons, and through to secondary school.
It was a Monday morning, walking behind mummy, she turned and began; Michael, I know you have been on the bright side of your academics all through primary school, here is a more tasking and important one. Let that academic excellence continue as you journey through your secondary school education.
With these words of advice I began secondary with the zeal to be nothing less than the best. Weeks into the first term in junior secondary school one (JSS 1), things were falling in place as planned. I engaged in little football games during the midday break but did not loose focus on the goal of topping the class at the end of that term. Soon enough, tests assessment and examination began for the term. It was an interesting experience as eyes of both teachers and students were on me and a friend of mine. We both sat on the first row of the class and played football together. Of course he was more skilled with playing football than I did.
At last the term ended and results for assessment and examination were out ( I know you are currently guessing I came first position. Did I… ? ).
Every student checking their performance with anxiety to see what position they came out with and of course to see who came out first. My friend came first (surprised..?), he topped the class while I came in second just as primary school days.. (funny right.?, just as teachers will say; he is married to second position).
My friend came first leading with a difference of two (2) points from my overall performance. I was surprised how he topped me with two points but still happy the front sitting friends topped the class.
The holiday for that term was over and a new term unfolded. We(my friend and I) began the term with same zeal as the previous until… … … .
Self confidence settled in, and we both began spending more of our times in playing football. Winning in almost every game we participated in, gave us more drive to keep up with the games. Little did we know our studies was going to be affected because we would seize any opportunity to play football, with the mind set of we know it all.
The second term ended like it was just yesterday. Results were out with every student checking their performance with anxiety as always. Getting my report card with confidence and believe that I did still remain at the top, instead I saw a performance that caused be to worry.
That term I came out the seventh (7th) position and my friend the eleventh (11th) position. It was a fall of great impact from the top to seventh and eleventh position.
I went home with regrets and a mind that I had failed that term. Here comes the decision.
The third and final term for the junior secondary school one began and with the impact of the drop in my performance in the previous term, I decided to quit football so I could go up again. My friend on the other hand continued in playing football as we did the previous term. School work began and reading began third term which is always the combination of all three terms in a session came to an end. Luckily I was able to move from seventh position to the fourth position. I was happy I moved up, but my friend who didn't yield to focussing on his studies dropped again.
With more commitment to my studies I was able to return to second position within the space of three terms. Living on and doing just studies was the order for me. Growing up I discovered I really missed balling and also got the understanding that there were ways I could have balanced me playing football with my studies without one affecting the other. Now, anytime I try playing with the mind of performing with same effectiveness as I used to, (hope you are not expecting me to tell you I can't play very well… ?) But you can imagine the outcome. Now I did prefer to just be a goal keeper instead of running with the ball.
I miss balling.. I really miss balling
Thank you for going through my post and hopefully you enjoyed it. See you on my next post.