Dreams can be the images that you get when you sleep or it could be your great and lofty aspirations. These dreams keep you focused on your target and the path that you may choose one day.But for one boy, he was unsure of what things might turn out for him in the distant future. He was a boy without dreams...

"What!? Only 46 marks??"David stared at his test paper in absolute sorrow, his usually cheerful disposition immediately turned gloomy, looking as if his future was dark and bleak. Recurring images flashed continuously in his mind, images of doubt and disappointment of his parents, on whether he was able to perform and only to be disappointed with the usual results. He promised them that he would make the best of his oppurtunities and study hard, but at that time it seemed that he was about to disappoint them yet again.
Usually in a time like this, he had soccer to cheer him up. He started to play from a tender age and came to love and enjoy the sport. His talent for soccer got him into the school team, where he enthusiastically trained and played for 2 to 3 times a week. But recently, he got introduced to an online game by a gamer friend. Since then, he spent part of his afternoons playing the game. That day at home, he slumped into his chair, and switched on his new computer. He began gaming soon after, barely keeping in touch with the outside world. Only the tapping of the keyboard, the clicking of the mouse and occasional swearing could be hard. As it seemed from the start, online gaming seemed likea hobby or a form of entertainment. But within a matter of a few weeks ,things spun out of control and it became an addiction.
David neglected training and stopped socializing as a result.His grades slipped futher into 20 odd marks. By the time the year ended, David had failed almost every subject, and had to be retained. At this point in time, it seemed like it was the end, soccer and studies both gone down the drain. But to the utmost anger and exasperation of David's parents, he continued to play online games. Even David himself did not know why he was not studying and playing instead. He slipped further and further into "oblivion"....
One fateful day during a seldom trip to a nearby hawker center to have his breakfast, David met his soccer coach. It was him, the person who had nurtured David and spotted his talent and potential. The coach spotted him from a distance chowing down on a bowl of laksa and appraoched him. At first he was blind with fury at David, but after knowing about his plight he simmered down a bit. He looked at David with supposed disappointment, the look that his parents usually have on their faces when they see his results. He then said,emotionless,"You have a dream or you go nowhere,David. And by the looks of things, you should know where you are going.." After his comment, the coach turned his back and walked away.Just at this moment, a voice boomed from behind." Coach! Can you give me another chance? I think i have just made my mind.", David said with determination, sounding very sure about his decision.
Every day after that,David trained, with or without any training sessions. His grit and drive impressed his teammates and the trust between them was stronger then ever. David began to enjoy training with his teammates and learned to work better as a unit. This lessons inspired David to work harder than before, and due to his attitude and workrate, he was named the team captain. Although soccer was his greatest love, his studies definitely came first at that time.
David soon began to study as hard as he trained, usually returning home after training at about 6.30 and then proceeding to revise his work after dinner until he fully understood what the teacher was teaching that day. It could go on to about 1 plus , with David getting a paltry 5 hours of sleep. This continued for months and up to the end of the year exams. He managed to score an A1 in all of his main subjects. That was when he learned that knowledge is power and that hard work was definitely needed to achieve his targets.
But it was not only his studies that excelled. After inspiring his team to a Nationals win, David was spotted by a top local club, who offered to let him train with them. He impressed at the trials, and after a few years of playing in the junior squad,he was finally promoted to the senior team ,and was able to play first team football. As for online gaming, he played only 1 to2 times a week when he has the time. David was also able to get into a university of his choice for further studies. So there he was , balancing his carrer as a footballer and his studies.
By playing soccer as a career, David was able to learn from the experienced players and to grow and mature as a player and as a person. David's talent and passion for soccer and his determination to win and improve constantly help him win the Footballer Of The Year award. So there he was , being able to succeed in his studies and to be playing soccer as a career.
One day at training, David spotted a man in the distance. He immediately recognised the tracksuit and the face, it was his former coach. He strolled casually towards David and said," Well done David. You have made me proud to have coached such a great talent like you." He held out a hand offering to shake his hand, David shook his hand and replied, wih much gratitude," Thank you so much sir, that comment you made 10 years ago really had me thinking about my future." The David now is a completely different person compared to the David in his secondary school years. It was soccer that changed David and made him have a reason in life and to succeed where others did not. The David 10 years ago did not even care about what the future brought, the David today has dreams and aspirations to fufill.