THE CHINA MAIL,
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1958. "
SATURDAY SPORTS SPOT
Is There A Place For Professional Sport In Hongkong?
By I. M. MACTAVISH
"WHY IS THERE NO PROFESSIONAL SPORT IN HONG-
KONG?"
That was the question thrown at me out of the blue when I had occasion to discuss certain aspects of Colony amenities with an important visitor the other day.
Resisting the very obvious temptation to relate the smouldering ⚫rumours connected with our football affairs | enquired why,
the question was being asked at all. "Hongkong is nowadays a great crossroad of the world's Far Eastern skyways.... "said the American visitor, "and when bigger and faster aircraft start coming in to Kai Tak your Colony will become a 'between-meals' journey from several important centres of profes gional sport.
man today and the world is only too willing to reward good performers handsomely for their
for
realise it could not be done in a week, or a month, or a year: it must be a long term policy but t would I pay rich dividends in due course",
"You are very obviously vitally interested in capturing a big slice of the international tourist trade and it would be a further attraction to travellers if they knew that super sporting attractions awaited them. "There is a thriving boxing ond wrestling 'Industry' Bingapore and Bangkok; Manila also has a very virile boxing
"I cannot believe the youth of Bel-up while some of the most
Well...well... well... famous grapplers in the world Hongkong Is any less capable of
do you think of that Dave wrestled in such places asking a success of professional what
confess L the Rizal Stadium;. Japan has sport than the young men and tirade? 1
rather shook many become a worl class force in
me particularly as I had gone to discuss some- boxing and 1 is not surprising
thing quite different with the that the birth place of judo
person concerned. should also have a very wrestling pubile.
"These
are your countries next door neighbours but other grunt
of profezdom contres
liko Australia, New sport Zealand, USA, and even the Unlied Kingdom brought closer every day.
are
Ideally Suited
active
being
Wwena DI
endowed communities,
less well
HO the powers-that-be n
Burning Question
of
SPORTING SAM
by Reg. Wootton
a
as
constitute detrimental in-seems to make the Society an fluence. There is good and bad obvious choice at the present in professionalism just as there me, I hope you approve my Is food and bad in amateurism selection, but, of course, I ara and fu these changing times the sure you will". lem amateur" la losing its There could not have bren a arrangement and I am better purlian significance as fast the uncouth slana of being certain that readers of this not-quite-alce 1 being eradica enlum will be happy indeed to ed from most professional be associated with the donation
porting activities.
which has gone to the Blackpool The subject ia indeed a con- and Fylde Society for the Blind, troversial one involving as it
Incidentally, Frank Howarth, does marry for reaching con-
that fine cricketer who has siderations. Maybe you would made such a big contribution to like to discuss it or even argue it the game in Hongkong, I süll❘ out among yourselves. If you well remembered in Blackpool where he bowled them out in would like to air any of your views in this column I would be the days gone by, delighted to co-operate.
During Blackpool's visit to
Hongkong it was suggest-"] ed to me on several occasions that I might write an article about the team's performances here for the information of the football public back in the United Kingdom.
In response to one of these TC- quests forwarded a story to one of the leading North of Eng- land newspapers and, as a result, deserving charity in Blackpool has received a hand-
Hongkong I may they must think very seriously about this aspec of your Colony's development, The greatest nines to the world of sport are looking for new
very visit and, while you places to
func at least, enjoy may for
thiserant profes- the circus at som tennis stars who drop in sure the rent occasionally, I'm attraction would be in seeing them in nelion against local op- position of the right class and under the right conditions.
Unlimited. Field
*
"From what I hear about the public in Hongking it seems-to me that if they are willing to pay as they undoubtedly do- for amateur sport, they would surely be ready to pay good
"The field of possibilities is prices for the privilege of see- ing the world's best, performers unlimited. As I see It boxing, in Betion especially wrestling, lennis, goll, basket- they should be in action against ball and table tennis are Ideally suited for this place. That is Joen opposition.
"Your line winter elimate not intended to be an exhaustive would be ideally suited for list. There are probably many it staging baseball, boxing, wrest-more possibilitica
are really serious Bing and even tennis or basket- your people
about putting your name on the ball in your big sedham.
"There is nothing degrading map in blazing letters then here in being a professional sports-is one way they could do it. I
...and
I truc course that Slugapore has glaunourised its nime by its nesociation with Bar of the bli names in pro-me donation in the name of you readers of this column in the fesional
sport. Great per-
China Mall' sonalities have perfomnied there':
imported CX- inst. either ponents or local opgoaltion and there is not the slightest doubt that professional sport-la which success is esential to And eminence enn progress provide very thrilling entertain- The burning question ment.
a whether it would prosper in Hongkong.
ать
that
Бато
council Is concerned. While I was fully prepared for the re- election of the present Chair- man there is a feeling that it is surely me there was a chante in this vital position but, as ona well known member of the
commented, Ceuncli present Chairman
kven and many of our quality people prefer that to the "risk" of the unknown, in spite of the fact that our Council meetings to not compare In their conduct with those of the other sport
bodieg in the controlling Colony."
The re-election of Mr A, 4 Hussain as representative of the not please Junior clubs will some interests in the game one ittle bit but, as I see it, he is back in office for the good and simple reason that the smearing
compaign against him Calling Frank ..the good misguidedly carried too for. wishes are hereby conveyed...nal accidental mistake' re-
duced it to ridicule. with pleasure.
... Hongkong football
In a postecript, the letter 1 have mentioned above mays Please convey our goot wishes to Frank Howarth. We have the fondest recollections of him".
The return of Mr W. S. T. Louey to the Presidency of the Hongkong Football Association will be warmly welcomed by most people connected with the game in the Colony.
This grand sportsman render- | ed great presidential service in the past and there were many. who felt that he should never have been out of office. I am one of them and as followers of the MacTavish Column will recall I said some pointed things en this very subject just a year ago.
Was
A
ver-
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tainly provides varley plenty Chinose Creeds & Customs Vol. 1
...with never a dull moment off or on the pitch.
Answers Sports Quiz
1. Paris,
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Amsterdam, Los Rupert Annual 1957-8
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Angeles, Berlin,
Melbourne (Venues for the
Olympic
to 1950).
Games from 1924 Ten Points About Pearls
| Points on Judging Jada
2. Ezzard Charles.
3. (4) Van Donck. (b) Lacke. | Giles Annual (1957)
(c) Cotton.
4. David Power.
5. In England, 1912.
England,
Australia, South Africa,
6. Real Madrid.
1. (n) "22, (k) Four.
Even in that there is a rather delightful little football story which is worth retelling.
When
editor the
the of newspaper decided to publish the artfele he was directed forward a donatior to chartty In Bleu of a fee and he looked The return of Mr Louey s around for a suitable cause. both limely and fortultous for the HKFA has several thorny very
day Stanley Matihciva sponsored problems to solve by the im- Opinions on the subject will
and opened an exhibition of inediate future and there is no certainly be at wide variance.
famous sporting trophies in aldone better qualified to give good of the Blackpool and Fylde cowwel and wise, level headed
this forthright|- There are those people who car- not rec scrap of good in Society for the Blind. Indeed advice, than professional sport and by the
a happy coincidence.
gentleman from Kowloon same token there are those who In his letter on the subject Apart from the change in the
...and I think
Presidency It is very much a like me believe that 'good' is the editor says "
who case of the status quo as for relative and that the financial this Ink with the man
professional do not i gave such glamour to the tour as other representation on the gains of" a
TODAY'S LAWN BOWLS MATCHES MAINLY DAVID-GOLIATH AFFAIRS
After having been interrupted by rain the last two week-ends, the Colony lawn bowls league and open championship matches'
are expected to go into full swing again this week-end,
The league matches this afternoon will in the main be David versus Goliath affairs, but it is likely that not all the Goliaths
will emerge triumphant.
The probability of upzetshospital, and
Is very much enhanced this Faired
although Wey
4-1 decision over
week-end in view of the trek-CCC "B" Friday They did ness of inest greens after the not give a very impressive dig- heavy washing that they have play. Leen receiving during the lux fow daya,
on the other
The dockmea hand are an inpoving team and in the
the are now brinful with confidence first division, most interesting match will un-after their brillant 4-1 victory doubtedly be that between over Kowloon Cricket Club Inst
Recreation Club dian
and Saturday. Kowloon Dock Club nt Sookun- poo.
However, today they will be playing under very haridicap the tricky IRC green.
By. ROBERT TAY
for four points but on form they the same treatment they did to have to give a much better dis- nlay than they against the Cralgengower juniora to earn those points.
In the other matches Recreio "A" are certain of four points fron Craigengower "B" at the Valley if not five,
Much will undoubtedly de pond on the performance of Willy Davidson's four. Their ability to take the lead against whichever IRC four they may heavy draw will be n great moral boost to the Dock's other two Much Weaker Team The dockmen may feel the pinch rinks and provide a foundation
much more here because of their of any upset victory that may Drawn лге а The Indians
I forthcoming. weaker team now tut one of being accustomed to their own their skips U, A. Rumijahn is in' excuilent green.
THE
WEEK-ENO
GAMBOLS
Each summer, Gaçes
bathing costume= gets less and less,
· Her bikini last
year was really
something
Unpredictable
Club three Kowloon Cricket weeks ago. The fairly heavy green today should be to their liking and I have a feeling that
be wilt
ford Cralgengower pushed this afternoon before winning by 4-1.
The closest game of the after- noon. In this division will prob- ably be that between Récrolo
and Kowloon Bowling Green Club "B"
Talkoo at Recrelo. are another unpredictable team Bolk teams are evenly matched that may provide some fre- and this should anybody's wories In Loday's schedule. game from beginning lo end. against Cralgengower Home groen, advantage will "A" al home, hey are fully probably give Recreio
that
On paper the Indians are good capable of handing their hosts slight edge over their opponents.
by Barry Appleby
Wonder how far skeli go
this yeary
Oh well it's Just gas swil- The fashione
changed
GAS FOR JOY
B. (a) Boxing, (b)
(e) Cycling.
9. Porth, Australia. 10. Ellsworth Vines.
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