January 2nd, 2009: New Year's Speech 2009 Governor of the Netherlands Antilles

Distinguished guests,

Welcome. Let me start by telling you the story of the “Grid-Iron-Gang”. It’s a true story that recently took place in the United States.

The workers at a juvenile detention center in the Los Angeles area were frustrated with their low level of success in rehabilitating the teenage boys left in their care. One worker decided to try something different. He formed a football team. He gathered the boys together and he told them, “Today, you are all losers, but at the end of this season, you will be winners.” He was right. These boys were losers. They came from homes marked by abuse and addiction, they had trouble at school, and a life filled with failure and desperation had led them to become involved in crime. The worker at the detention center pushed these boys to work harder than they ever had before. The team suffered one humiliating defeat after another, and many of the players wanted to give up. After a number of practices and games, however, these boys came to realize that they had become winners, not because of the number of points they scored, but because of the changes they experienced in their feeling of self-worth and belonging. These boys became winners because they learned to set aside street feuds and selfishness and work together as a team, they learned how to accept defeat with humility but to persevere with courage. And all these lessons learned made these boys winners, not only in the game of football, but also in the game of life.

This story illustrates the power of sports to change individuals and produce winners. That is why I have invited members of our sports community.  Most people who are involved in sports do not start out as a loser, like the kids of the “Grid-Iron-Gang”. Most of us get involved because we enjoy having fun with others or learning a new skill. But no matter what the reason or who you are, being involved in a sport develops character.

Athletes are disciplined.  They practice, they persevere, and they pursue excellence. The attitude of perseverance and discipline is developed and this attitude is essential in sports, but also at school, at work and in the family.

In team sports, social skills are learned, playing by the rules is practiced and an attitude of respect and sportsmanship is instilled.  Learning to become a team player is fundamental in sports, but also in life in general.  A good coach teaches us to be more concerned with the success of the team than with our own glory.  A good coach develops character and a sense of fair play.  A good coach wants to have victory, but in an honest and healthy way. In contrast, a bad coach wants to win at any cost, even if that cost is the loss of integrity. Playing without integrity, in sports or in life, makes one a loser, not a winner.

I am proud of the positive impact you have on our nation. I am thankful that, because of you, there are people who are strong and resilient.  I honor you because attitudes of perseverance, fairness, and co-operation are encouraged in the Antilles. Because of your model, many people can now handle disappointments without quitting.

But that’s not all.  In today’s sedentary society, you are role models. You are fit. You take the time to be in top form. We need more people like you to help change a bad habit, the habit of sitting at work all day, then sitting at home all night in front of the computer or television. This habit puts many of us on the road to obesity.

While addressing obesity in our community is a complex matter, we do need healthy, energetic people to work in this nation. You not only show us the value of discipline, but you also show us how much fun it can be to be active with friends on the basketball court or in a walking club, and how good it feels to push ourselves to be physically fit.  Continue to be a model of physical fitness and strong character, inspire friends and family to get moving, invite those around you to embrace a more active lifestyle, so that we can all feel good, feel vibrant, yes feel like a winner.

Let’s raise a glass to a happy and healthy 2009.