10-year-old arrested for kicking 12-year old in the face

Hong Kong police have arrested a 10-year-old boy after he kicked a 12-year-old opponent in the face after a hard foul during a soccer match. Last week, the English Schools Foundation (ESF) and the Kitchee Escola U12 teams played what has been characterized as a "grudge match." Kitchee defeated ESF 16-0 earlier in the season and was up 4-0 with plenty of time left in this match. I think we know where this is going. Watch the video below from the 1:00 mark on. This gets really ugly (email subscribers click here).



What the 10-year-old did was terrible and he should have been disciplined. I don't agree with arresting him, but the parents seemingly had no other choice than to contact authorities. The game was out of control from the start and the coaches, parents and officials did nothing to correct the situation. Good sportsmanship wasn't even a passing thought here. ESF knew they couldn't beat Kitchee so they decided to beat them up. I realize the arrest angle may make some people think it's not that bad here in the U.S. Well, it is. Youth games devolve into fisticuffs regularly. The only difference is that our police are reluctant to arrest elementary school kids for what happens on a soccer field.

We as adults have to set the tone. If you participate in sports long enough, you'll find that team or that individual who just has your number. They've figured you out and there's not much you can do about it. They can take your best shot and smile at you. What do you do? Keep playing hard. Keep trying. They may be able to take the trophy from you, but no one can take away your dignity. You choose whether or not to give that away. ESF could have kept their composure and just lost the game. Now, one of their players has been arrested because of his unsportsmanlike behavior. And they still lost!

Coming up on the losing end of a game is always better than ending up on the business end of a nightstick. Remember, you win some and you lose some. Give your best, always. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol