If war is a continuation of politics by other means then surely sport
has proven itself to be the continuation of both. From the dusty
plains of classical Greece to ancient Mayan temple complexes, from the
playing fields of Eton and village greens as far afield as Boston and
Bangalore to side streets and alleys from London to Lagos, the
compunction to kick, punch, throw, run, jump and shoot for amusement
has closely paralleled human warfare in terms of the passion and
tribalism it invokes, and of course the determination to compete and
win which it engenders. Whether innocent game-playing or deadly
gamesmanship, this is the forum to discuss our long and often, it must
be said, not-so-sporting participation in these activities.
