The Olympic Games are not just the greatest spectacle of athletic skill and strength known to man. It is war. It is a battle of the nations where only the sharpest, fittest, and toughest find a place in the victory podium. It is fought not with cavalry and infantry, but with the same rigorous application of planning and preparation reserved for elite combatants.

The Olympic medal is the ultimate reward for any race, and the brightest ribbon for any color or creed to proudly adorn themselves with. It is war. And it is peace. The victor claims the olive wreath without bloodshed, and raises his flag high. The vanquished walk away with only their pride hurt. It is the largest assembly of humanity ever gathered in one place with the sole objective of defeating each other, and yet, it will win equal honor for each of its worthy participants.

Its narcissistic appeal, and chauvinistic drive have survived the journey of time, and the passage of history to return to its birthplace 2780 years after it first captivated the world with an all- important ideal: Number One.

It is with same spirit of Olympic sportsmanship that I propound a return to civilization with the creation of a broad sporting competition in our very own land of gold. It will finally decide once and for all of four years, the annoying position hotly contested by all manner of players and associations from near and afar: Number One.

And it will give equal opportunity for all to command respect without a single shot being fired in anger. If Arab and Jew can dive into the same pool of competition without first blowing each other to bits, then we can certainly put down our torches and handguns and put on boxing gloves to see who gets to be champ.

The land that invented the game of Polo could well establish a novel method of conflict resolution by organizing an open tournament involving its indigenous teams and the dual contingents of armed forces. In such a sporting environment, we could confront our inner demons and outward specters with a true test of our abilities and aspirations.

The important thing would not be about the results, or being the best, but it would be about feeling satisfied with the giving of one's best. The most important thing would be that we would be having fun in an existence that has so far only been about games.

The issue of events and their venues would not be of any hindrance to the Joint Action Committee organizing this noble event. Manipur successfully hosted the 5th National Games, and its sports infrastructure remains largely underutilized. The revenues generated from ticket sales, television rights, and corporate sponsorship would be enormous. Manipur does not produce anything of viable economic interest. At least it can produce good sports.

The first venue would automatically open up at the firing range. Marksmen of all calibers can leave aside their weapons of destruction, and focus on hitting paper and clay targets instead of human ones. In a state where rivals regularly fire vast amounts of live ammunition throughout the year with deadly skill, it would be worth seeing them in action: scoring points and making one as well.

The next venue would be the boxing ring. But the contest here would be totally one-sided. This is where our politicians would overshadow everyone else. The years of shadow boxing and posturing will deliver a quick knockout punch to any inexperienced opponent, and their thick skins will readily absorb any probes and jabs leashed out by the opposition. However, they will have to refrain from hitting below the belt, and from crying foul every time they earn a negative point.

In the track and field events, the focus of interest will be on the team relays. This contest too will have a foregone conclusion. Our bureaucrats and babus will have a field day here. Having mastered the art of stretching out palms and passing the buck around, they can do so blindfolded and asleep. Snatching a baton on the run would be like taking candy from a baby. Their closest competitors will be the police, but they have to first clearly distinguish between wielding the baton, and not thrashing the other also-rans in the same race with it.

The most eagerly anticipated contest will take place on the football pitch. I am of the firm belief that the chauvinisms of warring nations and communities can be realistically settled in the level playing field of football. If that is done in a true sporting spirit, all war as we know it would come to an end.

In our own diverse field, it would hard to predict an outright winner. Even the star-studded Apunba United would find it tough to make it through the group stages. To realistically progress through to the finals, they will have to sort out a few things. They will first have to learn to control the ball properly once it has been set in motion.

Their strikers can strike at will, but they must stop being dumb-struck by the offside trap, and from striking and colliding into each other in front of the goal. But they do have a naturally flamboyant striking ability (however), and I need not needlessly remind them that taking off their jerseys will only merit a yellow card.

The Armed Forces will also be specially powered in the elimination rounds through its Friendly Gunners team. To progressively stay in the reckoning (however), they will have to direct their shots at the goal instead of shooting wildly at spectators in the stands. They will also have to resist the urge to book and boot out their opposite numbers without consulting the referee first.

To avoid further losses to their goal difference, they must firmly place their men and keeper in front of the bar, and not behind the safety netting of their posts. Otherwise, they might earn the dubious distinction of having their entire team and management red-carded off the field, which would be a serious disaster for morale.

But seriously, the Olympics have always brought out the best that humanity can offer. It stretches to the limit, and taps into hidden reserves of courage and determination to better one's best. It rises to the occasion, and soars above the clouds of doubt and indecision to ascend new heights of distinction. Yelena Isinbayeva did exactly that to win a prized gold. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore believed in that and earned precious silver. Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu dared to doubt, and lost both face and reputation.

The Olympics have always been about a higher ideal. It derives its name from the abode of the gods - Mount Olympus. It is said that Zeus himself monitors the results as zealously as we mere mortals.

Manipur too, needs to return to this noble standard. We need to raise our sights and improve our marks. It does not matter if the gods in New Delhi show an Olympic detachment towards results. We don't have to speak Greek. We only have to play fair, and have the will to win; the desire to beat seemingly insurmountable odds.

There is a certain snob value attached to gold. Everyone looks up to the face that wears the crown. No one remembers who came last.