Tactical gamesmanship.....

"So, how far can we take it, this idea of tactical gamesmanship?" queries Daisy.

"The competitive spirit is alive and well.  It's part of the human psyche, part of who and what we are, and necessary for our very existence, isn't it?" poses Daisy.

"But....!" says Daisy, "what about the simple idea of participation, of taking part in something bigger than our individual selves?  A combination of different identities and different talents for the enrichment of all those taking part, and for those watching??" asks Daisy.

"You have to play to win, display your best endeavour?   Play up and give of your best?  If you win, that's great.  If somebody else wins, well, that's great too.  Why shouldn't another person win?" suggests Daisy.

We can all rehearse and practise, but for the actual performance of whatever talent we possess, the actuality of the event can, and does, throw up all kinds of emotions, both within and without, and, unfortunately, human beings are not always  in control of themselves; and certainly not of things beyond themselves!

But, surely that's all part of life, that rich tapestry of existence we all experience every day of our life, right here and now.  All we can ever do is to give of our very best, whatever and whenever, and accept the consequences of our actions?

"Rules are rules; you have to play by the rules, as written by the rule makers!  Isn't that what "they" say?" queries Daisy.

 "OK, rules can be broken, if you have mastered them, but that depends on how well you play!" says Daisy "which means playing to the very best of your ability?" suggests Daisy.

"You must show total mastery of your game, if you are to break its rules, I think!" says Daisy.

"But, what if the thinking behind the rules is at fault, what then?  If following  rules, affects your game, how do you play then?  Who queries the thought process, hey?", suggests Daisy.


Daisy was affected by the debacle of the Badminton championship and saddened for the players involved.  Badminton, an international game that began in Asia sometime in the 5th c., was played in India as the game of Poona, and brought home to England by returning British army officers; introduced to Royalty and given its modern name, Badminton, after the Duke of Beaufort's Gloucestershire country estate.  Given a new status, and rules which laid the foundation for today's game, Badminton flourished world-wide, paved the way for the International Badminton Federation (IBF) of 1934, and provided the world with new championship games to play and win; and the world has played up and played well, ever since.

And the children's game of battledore and shuttlecock..........another version, played similarly, with much fun and enthusiasm by all who encountered it.

Badminton became an Olympic sport in 1992 and long may it remain as such.  Open to all players and countries' participation, to play with enthusiasm, zeal and the proper ambition to win by fair play and honest participation.

Daisy is a keen observer of the sporting process and is enjoying the 2012 Olympic Games, and particularly the Equestrian Championship at Greenwich at the beginning of this week.  The competitors were just brilliant, but what of the horses, weren't they simply splendid?  A horse won't perform if it's not handled with sufficient care and attention, or fond enthusiasm for its own being.

Enjoy the Games....

Daisy.