Other / Paul Moon / 20 May 2008 / 1 Comments

Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair: Who is the greatest role model in sport? Indeed, do sportsmen and women have any obligation, outside their chosen arena, to behave in a manner that provides a good example to the rest of us?

A sporting role model is somebody worthy of imitation but imitation of what? Is it the skill of the sportsman or his deportment? Youngsters aspire initially to the skill factor but consequentially they soon echo mannerisms and behaviour patterns of these emulated idols!

I am always dubious about the pious hype spouted by the 'nouveau prawn sandwich brigade' regarding role models in sport. With the wave of a big brush they claim that because they carry adulation and aspirations their number one responsibility is to the youngster watching. They argue that the players are voluntarily place themselves in this special category.

Of course this is not true! They do not place themselves anywhere and their first responsibility is to those who pay their wages. It is only then that our sporting heroes should be mindful of duty and behaviour because of their representation. I believe that the role models primary job is done once he has inspired a youngster to take up a sport or that he has grabbed his interest?

Unfortunately many role models will not be able to carry this burden for various reasons, some selfish but some because of a lack of awareness. Not all sportsmen are intelligent, in fact some are quite dense. Mike Brearley and Paul Gascoigne were both sportsmen, the similarity ended there.

So who are role models? Was Shane Warne a role model? He is revered for his outstanding achievements on the cricket pitch with scant reference to his actions off the field? The apologists for Warne would have you believe he doesn't deserve the treatment he receives from sections of the media, like the British tabloids.

His defenders insist that sporting heroes are simply that - people who excel on a sporting field who should be admired only for that. However, it's exactly because he is a national hero that young people might follow his example in more than just taking up spin bowling. They may believe that his behaviour off the field with weight problems, drugs bans, associations with bookmakers, indiscreet text messages is acceptable.

Are England footballers John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole or Wayne Rooney role models? Are they any different from Michael Owen and Steve Gerrard? I sense the line getting blurred.

Is Tiger Woods the definitive role model? If he is then which Tiger? Is it the one that is always gracious in victory or the sullen petulant club-abusing Tiger we saw when his best form eluded him in the final round of this year's Masters? I am not convinced that he is a team player a la Ryder Cup and I am intrigued to see if the feisty Azinger can unearth any apparent 'esprit de corps' within him.

Being the first black golfer to compete successfully at the very top is certain to open the floodgates and lead to a conveyor belt of inspired young black golfers whilst at the same time reducing racial prejudice in golf. Thirteen years and thirteen majors on Woods remains the only African-American on the tour. How significant is that?

A market that Tiger would be interested in is the 'Tiger Specials 2008' market with Betfair. It shows [2.38] for One Major Only [4.1] for Two Majors Only and [14.0] for Three Majors Only. For No Major Wins [3.3] is available.

Genuine tennis role model Roger Federer will be looking forward to his battle against Majorcan Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon this year after losing the Hamburg Masters against him. With Nadal closing the gap between them will he get his first victory on grass? The Betfair market says an emphatic no! Latest prices include: Federer [2.08] Djokovic [5.3] Nadal [8.8] Roddick [23.0] Bar [27.0]. But first we have the French Open at Roland Garros on the clay which Federer has never won. Prices with Betfair include: Nadal [1.74] Federer [6.0] and Dyokovic [7.6] Bar [55.0]. Do you sense a duck will be broken this year?

Gladly I nominate two marvellous sportsmen that I hope will be emulated as role models in this country. Working class hero Joe Calzaghe epitomises a great boxing tradition. Why he is not nationally adored only the above knows! Modest and hard working Johnny Wilkinson is another. Already mimicked all over the world he receives the biggest form of flattery from his peers. What a battler through adversity he has been? They have been two fabulous ambassadors for sport and I await the knighthoods.

Of course in a perfect world we would love our sportsmen to be conscious of the impact they display but they are human and to err is thus. We are also talking about 21st century sport where pressure has never been greater so comparison to those halcyon days of amateurism is unfair! There are lines not to cross but I wonder how many of us, when put in that exalted position, would not transgress from time to time? Let he who casts the first stone...

Tags: Boxing Betting, Cricket Betting, Football Betting, Golf Betting, Rugby Betting, Sports Betting, Tennis Betting