Peace Through Discs

Chatting with a friend on MSN just now, we lamented that we weren't able to play ultimate frisbee as he is on the other side of the world and discless and I'm hobbled (still after two months, pathetic I know) with a badly sprained ankle.

There is something so soothing and pleasing about throwing a perfect hammer or forehand to a teammate on the field. The flight of the disc, the chase. When it's perfect you know it and you feel it, deep. There is no time for anger and hatred when you're throwing a disc. It all melts away.

Therefore I'm pleased to announce the first ever ultimate game to be played between the men and women of the IDF and Hizbullah. The game will be played on August 17, 2006 at 6pm, Golan Heights Standard Time (GHST) on a field in the disputed Shebaa Farms where Lebanon meets Israel and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. It will conclude, as usual, when the first team reaches 15 points or the sun sets. Given the athleticism of both the IDF and Hizbullah we expect a fast-paced, competitive match.

Ali Hassan, a handler with the Hizbullah Hammers, said of the match: "Inshallah we'll play hard and win for our nation, the Muslim nation". If they lose does that mean that it wasn't God's will, or that they just blew it?

At the prematch press conference attended by Hassan, Ari Fleischer, formerly George W Bush's press secretary and current coach of the Ultimate Defense Forces had a lot to say as usual. "This match, in which the UDF will triumph unlike our two botched invasions of Lebanon, will showcase the humanity, determination and courage of Jewish people everywhere".

Conveners with Discs for Peace have warned the IDF that they may have to offer some of their women to the Hizbullah team as they are likely to be short (yes my dear Nasrallah, girls can play ultimate and shoot guns too). Fleischer joked that he would not let Hizbullah "kidnap" any UDF players. It's rumoured that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's elite ulimate team might send some female players to bolster the Hammers.

"That sure beats Katyusha rockets", said a confident and smiling Fleischer.

See the game live on Al Jazeera. Inshallah . . .