Speaking as someone who has lost a fair share sparring matches 5-0, I can tell you that it's not fun. Those losses did inspire me to train harder though. Hard enough to win a full contact match 3-2.
Why are we now teaching our youth to win, but only enough so that the other team doesn't feel bad?
If the losing team doesn't feel bad after their defeat, where is the fire that will inspire them to train harder going to come from?
If the winning team isn't allowed to play as hard as they can, win and then celebrate their victory, why should they train so hard?
Respect for your opponent is important, but not at the expense of making mediocrity the accepted standard of conduct. Striving for excellence is what keeps the Human race evolving. To stifle that is to begin a slow and steady regression.
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=989089