The Second Tribute to My Great Debaters
My dearest friends, brothers and sisters of the English Debate Club.
Especially to my dearest debaters who have made it to the Finals of Yayasan Sarawak Debate – Debater Black and Debater Terence.
Before I start, I have a confession to make. That to receive a call from each of you, informing your victory is a moment I shall never forget. It is a moment I shall cherish in my life. And I cherish it not because of pride, or vanity – but rather because I feel deeply appreciated. To Black and Terence, again – Thank You once more.
It may be redundant to say it again but, congratulations for your victory in Yayasan! It was as I believe, one of those many fights in your lives that you are most likely not to forget. It shall be unforgettable, my brothers not because of your wins and losses, points and rebuttals – but rather it is remembered because of your determination, courage and perseverance.
You shall remember it because of the joys and tears you share together.
You shall remember it because you have tasted the sweet smell of a shared success and triumph.
You shall remember it because you are determined to attain what you rightfully deserve; which is a bond of brotherhood, loyalty and friendship, bound to be evoked in years to come.
For by sharing these vital moments, you have learned to put your Trust, Faith, Honour and Name in the hands of your partner. And you shall owe that person for protecting it with all that he could in the midst of a battle we all call ‘debating’. It is a bond unbroken by time.
Forget the scorns, anger, bitterness and any foul mouthed wounds you’ve got. Forget the vile insinuations of politics and judges. Forget all that which are of vanity and pride. Forget the bruises and wounds inflicted on your ego.
For you must always remember the True Reasons you walked into your first debate training. For on that day you seek none but Friendship, Loyalty, Respect and Confidence. You seek not a Cup, but Brotherhood. You seek not victory but Friendship. You seek not your Name on a scroll, but your Name on your friends’ Hearts, marked forever.
And I urge you as a mentor, as a debater, but most importantly as a brother – that you shall remember these reasons when you walked on that stage today. You shall have humility, for you are none without the Family. You shall have soft words, for your enemy shall shout vile and cruel words. And you shall remember each of us – your Brothers and Sisters, that shall always be there for you in time of need.
Lastly Black and Terence, I would say that the two of you won’t need luck. For the two of you have the entire Debate Family behind your backs. Because as a Family, We owe you that.
And alas, never was so much owed by so many to so few. Yet so many shall remember what few had done.
