THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 21, 1940
A Survey Of British Sport
By Kenneth McMillan THE WELL-KNOWN BRITISḤ' 8PORTS WRITER
BRITISH Sport is awakening from its winter sleep and looks for- ward to summer months. Even foot- ballers after a season lasting nearly eight months have carried on until this month, so great is the call on all sides for out-of-doors recreation by the masses.
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They will be joined by cricketers, tennis players, speedway riders, swim- mers, athletes and golfers all intent on keeping the flag flying against the time when the young men come home from the war.
Strange as this may seem there is a reason for Great Britain's ability to "carry on" in spite of the war, and all its obligations, civil and military, which First comes Conscription leaves young men free to play until the fateful Calling-up day. They can do of conscience, so with complete ease knowing they will not be regarded as shirkers but rather as men who are keeping fit for service when the day dawns. That did not happen in the last Great War.
There are also the young to be called up. xious that they should
young men, too Clubs are an- not be lost to
civilians, so
in the London and in Manchester. The three Services have claimed most of the best British runners, but it is hoped to draw them into the arena in matches against each other and against civi- lian and Dominion Army teams.
the game, whatever be their inclina- | general all-round tuning-up
standards of entertainment offered to tion. They are to be given the op- portunity and it is a golden one-of the British public. by enterprising being taught while they are free as sports promoters.
the dawn of Suntmer skies herald that they may resume their place in sport when the war is cricket which will come to life shortly, will be and if games are being restricted to over. Many championships won this summer in Great Britain by two days, this will be all to the good and provide a spur. for brighter and players still in their 'teens.
better games than even pre-war days could provide.
County and club cricket teams all getting going, over the cruntry are and the Brish Government have pro- mised the clubs will not lose their pitches fo war purposes except in a special emergency.
Those THEN there are the old 'uns.
who fought in the last war and are are working not yet wanted. They hard in offices and factories all over the country-some making munitions- and they play to keep fit.
Not a few of them have returned to the spheres they once adorned, either to coach the young or once again to the crowds they hear the cheers of used to thrill.
Organised sport is indeed playing a full part in keeping up the spirits of wartime Britain.
Crowds at football matches, race- courses, dog tracks and boxing halls are bigger than they have been at any time since the war started.
This, to a certain degree, is due to the early adoption of Summer Time this year, giving sport fans the oppor- tunity of getting out to their favourite It is also 'due to a pastimes.
See the. New 1940
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SPEEDWAY racing usually comes to life about this time of the year, and already crowds of fifteen thousand have been watching the motor cyclists hurtling their way round London tracks.
Though there will be little organised of the dirt racing this season, fans track-and they number many women in their ranks-will once again be able to see their stars in action. Many of the riders are, of course, Americans and Australians.
Then we are promised a grand array White City, of athletic talent at the
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THE coming of the Empire men to
Britain's aid, after twenty years' of peace, was only to be expected be- cause of the close links which bound: them, as a result of the tours which had become
a regular part of the sporting life of the country. Already these young giants from the Dominions have given a fillip to many home sports during the winter months, when the dark nights called for some light diversion to keep the nation from thinking too much about the war.
Rugby football has benefited by the presence in Britain of New Zealanders and South Africans; while the Canǎ-- dians have given ice hockey a much. needed boost by sending their crack regimental sides to compete against the best that London could produce.
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GOLFERS, if they have done nothing *else, have rolled up in their thousands to support games between the stars for the Red Cross Fund, and
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