Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A CAPTAIN is defined as a 'leader' or someone who 'commands something'. In choosing the captain of your sports team a manager would lean towards one of the top players, guaranteed of his starting position, writes Abu George.
He or she would also command respect through their on-field performance and, ideally, off-field activities, particularly within the field of professional sports.
The chosen captain should be able to assess, during the match, the strengths and weakness of the opposition, quickly formulating strategies and being in a position to communicate messages to his or her team and to organise them. Good captains inspire others by their actions.
John Terry has apparently learned from his mistakes and is the 'new' man to possess the coveted captain's armband for England's football team. Undoubtedly, coach Fabio Capello has handled the transition badly, allowing the news to leak to a fortunate journalist in a Spanish airport lounge before his plan was, allegedly, even finalised in his own head.
Initially, the transfer of the captaincy was intended to be purely for the upcoming European qualifier against Wales to prevent the armband being passed around like a wrapped parcel at a children's party. However, Capello later clarified that the transition is now permanent, with Terry having learned his lesson and effectively paid for his sins.
Despite the furore surrounding the deposed captain, Rio Ferdinand, Capello is, at least, consistent. Lest we forget, Ferdinand has his own skeletons in the closet, most notably having received a lengthy ban for failing to meet the drug testers on several occasions earlier in his Manchester United career.
The England captaincy is supposed to be special. The role is idealistically to be held by an exemplary character who is a role-model to the millions of aspiring youngsters dreaming of one day occupying the position themselves.
To the earlier list therefore, add clean-living, decent and honourable. Think Gary Lineker, perhaps even Michael Owen. Of the current crop of England players the closest you can get is perhaps Frank Lampard, although he rarely wins a starting position under Capello in crucial fixtures. Even the next in line, Stevie Gerrard, has 'previous'.
However, they don't offer what Terry does, and that's leadership. Terry is undoubtedly a natural leader of his football teams, which is presumably the quality on which Capello has focused, particularly with the lack of an alternative.
The problem that Terry has is the nature of his indiscretions. By letting down a colleague in the most personal of circumstances he has committed a cardinal sin. The manner in which he has now been handed the armband has done little to ease him back into the role.
The question now is whether he can atone for that and unite the whole team. Terry has one reason to be thankful following recent England performances - he's not facing Ireland!
