Bangladesh, July 14 -- Sport has long been celebrated as a universal language capable of bringing together people from different cultures, religions and political systems. Whether it is the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup or other major international competitions, sporting events have often been presented as occasions where rivalry remains confined to the field while mutual respect prevails beyond the final whistle. Yet history repeatedly demonstrates that this ideal has rarely matched reality. The relationship between politics and sport has always been close, and in todays increasingly polarized world, the boundary separating the two appears more fragile than ever.

Competition naturally creates winners and losers. It also creates nati...