Staying on TOP of the GAME

Dozie moved from Nigeria in 1997 to attend Claremont Fancourt boarding school in England. That's where he discovered he had a natural talent for playing rugby. He plays as much and as often as possible — sometimes playing on as many as five different teams! Dozie recently began playing with England's national junior rugby team.

How do you prepare for practices or games?

I just sit down to pray, "God, You are with me right there on the pitch (playing field)." I also think about going out not to impress people, but to express goodness, because God is good. If you know God is present, you'll start reflecting His strength and quickness while you're playing the game.

I used to measure my success on the field by the size of the crowd. When I stopped thinking about playing for the center stage, though, and thanked God and tried to glorify Him instead, that helped me to stay fit, keep from injury, and enjoy myself.

What do you think about during a game?

I don't really think of myself. I think about the opposition — not trying to harm them, but showing sportsmanship toward them and love for the game.

What kinds of things have you learned from playing rugby?

There was a pick for the national squad, and after two weeks, I was told I wasn't going to make the traveling team. I really lost confidence.

A couple of weeks later, I was invited to play in a tournament with a team of international players. The first game we played was against the national team from which I had been dropped. And right up to the start of the game, I was still fighting my lack of confidence. I was sitting in the changing room beforehand just thinking about how much God must love me to have brought me there.

Even though the national team had dropped me, I had still managed to get to the tournament with this international team. I thought, "God knows me as totally good, so I'm good enough for this team." And within the first five minutes of the game that lack of confidence began to fall away.

It was a close game, within six points. And even though we lost, I felt very good afterwards.

How does prayer help you while you're playing sports?

When I first started playing rugby at boarding school, I got injured playing on the pitch. I was taken back up to my room. My Christian Science Sunday School teacher had been watching the game and he came up to see how I was. And so did my dad, who had just arrived to visit me and watch me play.

They were both sitting on my bed, and my leg was really hurting. And my Sunday School teacher started reading from Science and Health. I just sat there listening to him and thinking about different ideas I was hearing. After a while the pain left and I went shopping with my dad.

I think that was the first time I had ever prayed about a sports injury.

Sam has been playing soccer practically since the time she began to walk, and has played on select teams since she was 11 years old. Last year her team won the state championships and went on to compete at the national level. When she's not playing soccer, she's doing the pole vault or passing the baton on her track relay team.

How do you prepare for a practice or a game?

Before stepping on the field I say, "God is Love" to compose my thoughts. I don't like to get pumped up for a game — it implies that you can come down from the high. I like to think there is one constant mental level. Sports give me an opportunity to be more of who I am. Sports are really just another avenue to express the vitality and strength that God gives us.

How does prayer protect you on the soccer field?

I haven't had any serious injuries. I attribute that to a spiritual perspective. Usually the more competitive the game is, the more injuries become the focus. It's hard not to be distracted into thinking about injury with the trainers there and the medical kits. It's almost like you're waiting for something bad to happen. But when I'm not afraid of getting hurt, the possibility of getting injured doesn't enter my mind.

This past winter I did have to spend time praying about my knee when it got painful during a tournament. A month later the pain recurred and was on and off for a while. I missed about a month of soccer practice and games. During that time I went through physical therapy, and I was also praying to know that I could never be separated from God, who made us all perfect and spiritual.

Pain never comes from God. That meant that I couldn't be in pain. Well, the pain stopped. And it was really amazing when I got back to my first practice. I felt great — like I had never stopped playing. My coach was really surprised and so were my teammates.

What do you think about while playing sports?

I think about what comes from the heart. To me, heart implies desire, intensity, and strength. Ever since I was really young my dad has told me to play with fire in the eyes. Desire means wanting to do your best. I think a lot of people do get lost in that desire — they let it overcome them.

But thinking about it from a spiritual perspective helps you to want everyone to do his or her best. And that will make your game better.