The first interport match is believed to have taken place at the beginning of the present century when Hong Kong, represented by the Hong Kong Football Club, played Shanghai. Matches against Manila, Macao, and Saigon subsequently took place. The increasing popularity of the game is reflected in the number of spectators watching the matches. From mere handfuls at the beginning of the century attendances have increased to over 14,000 who watched the visiting Djurgardens team from Sweden play a representative This team from Hong Kong during a visit to the Colony in 1950. figure would have been exceeded if the accommodation at the ground had been greater.
HORSE RACING
During 1950 there were twenty-four race days which were attended by an increasing number of people. The full capacity of the stands has now almost been reached in spite of recent alterations and additions designed to improve the facilities for members and the public.
A new batch of ponies imported from Australia made its debut at the beginning of the year. Although they provided keen racing while pitted against each other they proved disappointingly inferior to those of previous seasons when they met on equal terms later in the year.
CC
Skymaster
The outstanding pony of the year was
" which equalled, during the year, two course records, one for a distance of 1 mile 171 yards, previously established in 1941, and another for a distance of 1 mile, previously established in 1937.
A feature of the annual race meeting was the presence of Brigadier Mark Sykes who was invited to impart his knowledge and experience as one of the senior starters of the Jockey Club in the United Kingdom.
During the year riding school classes have been conducted to train young riders for racing and there have been some encouraging results.
SWIMMING
The spectacular and popular cross-harbour race was held by the Victoria Recreation Club in October and attracted a record number A of 405 entries, more than twice the number received before. certificate was awarded to each swimmer who finished the course and 380 qualified. The course is from the Railway Pier, Kowloon, to the praya-wall between Murray Pier and Murray Road on the Island, a distance of approximately 1,743 yards, but the conditions of wind, tide, and currents, and the hazards of moored ships make the race a difficult and lengthy task.
The annual swimming championships showed a marked improve- ment in the general standard of competitors. Several long-standing records were broken during the meeting. The lack of a proper swimming pool of dimensions which come up to international standard is a considerable handicap to the development of this sport.
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