THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1959.
Page
SATURDAY SPORTS SPOT Get in the right spirit
The Cricket Festival Turned Out To Be A Feast
By I. M. MacTAVISH
What a magnificent sporting spectacle the Cricket Festival
turned out to be. The visit of the enterprising -and onthusiastic cricketers from Bangkok put us right in the mood for the more serious encounter against the highly competent touring party from Malaya and the hardworking organisers must have been most gratified by the large crowds that turned out to see the thrilling battle for supremacy which the latter game produced.
It was wonderful stuff. Even those people. who normally take their cricket as it comes found themselves strangely stimulated first of all by Hong- kong's fine second innings recovery and then by the thrilling manner in which the visitors fought back from seemingly inescapable defeat to snatch a victory which all who saw it will remember with a glow of satisfaction for a long long time. “An hour to play and the last man in" .... and all that.
It was a draža Mulayan vic- fogy wil I dunk it speaks vos Jumes for our own cricketers that neither in the bitter harsh- ness of the situation — hor since han there been a hint of open criticism or rezimization.
In the circumstances which prevailed in the closing stages of the match it would have been all too easy for emotions to run wild and while the glory of the ecension has certainly gone
Malaya, we can well be proud of cur representatives. They put up like sporting opposition" and rame oh, NO hear to * gloriom win
Competent Job
been privately but widely dis- beratit other referees for this! eunerd in the Colony recently
and it seema only a matter of
Kason.
"I have been refereeing in the,
time until an official propost-colony nerw for ever Twelve tion is placed before the Coun-months and I have enjoyed it cil of the Xongkong Football very much. Association for consideration.
Drawbacks
The proposal has merit but it niso has possible drawbacks. The idea behind the where as for as one ran see is to attract the paying fans back to the Kame and apparently anything What does just that can only be regarded as a good thing.
However, the lurking danger
is that our football programure i may develop into game a
Guy Pritchard did a very night affair. At the beginning t competent job as captain of the side. Ila own effort with might stimulate interest but it
could also Boud to
foo much football being available and so
"For me this is the end of an era, I first registered with the English Football Assocla- tion as a referee in 1945 and have been active continuously
Appreciation
!
SPORTING SAM
as sharp as they were then it is↑ thusiast get a hold of this book. recipient will be your ing over his whistic to someone friend for life. The book, which else. Far too many referees.... contains a topical country by is no age limit....go on for too
Circumstances such as p short-
time for him to consider hand-The
articularly in areas where there country survey, is excellent,
long
age of qualified officials may of use make such a delayed re there is a Aul roll of whistler cation for any referee to con
signation desirable but when
javailable then there is no jusu-
true on the active list if he is no longer deriving pleasure from
his own efforts.
Mr Lyttle makes the exoel lent observation that senior referees in the Colony are not getting sufficient
by Reg. Woottón
London Exprem Bervice.
....And to.sportation and sportswomen everywhere --- A Merry Christmas and thank you for the pleasure you have given to us all.
Letters To The Editor
Mini-Soccer Controversy
non-
Sir-The inane letter under į played with E non-regulation the nom-de-plume of Sports size ball 021 pon-regulation Pan which appeared in your size pitch and with
cannot go regulation size goal posts, In per on Thursday
It should bo this respect it contravenes the tutianswered as
evaz the most latter part of the FIFA OB- apparent to
that JECTS in that it introduces im. sporta fan
some- proper methods and practices into the game and as such it is not recognised by the FA FIFA,
keep them la top form and it may be that with the current availability the KFA will have lo consider seriously whether there is some" better way of keeping our whistlers fully active than is happening at the moment.
"I would like to record my ap-! preciation to the Hongkong Foot- ball Association for the courtesy bat and ball set the right sort
to me at all uitles they have shown of example for his colleagues
times and more In the end defeat, its intended the Secretary and his staff
personally to and if Ivor Stanton. Beddy
for Carnell and
their consideration in all OUT the happy-go-Purpose, fucky Bojl Dhabher claimed Nevertheless there is much to dealings.
most of the limelight the
be soid for floodlight football. " would like also to take the others did a good job too.
It is colourful and attractive opportunity to wish success In but it is never really a com- the future to all concerned with plete substitute for the game football in
played in natural light.
The Hongkong Cricket League Is to be congmtulated on its en- terprising effort in making this series possible. The enthusiasm of the crowd was ample proof of the Interest which the games
particularly the Malayan in terport....arotesed.
For just over a week King Cricket was right back on top
of the world; a ftung tribute to all who worked so hard on the festival project.
Thanks
ignorant real your correspondent is what amig in what he portends or pretend to know.
or
First and foremost it must be
It has never been, in clearly understood that the ASF control over & OC have
opinion, the intention of the Association Football in Hong- | IKFA to ban mini-soccer com- The HKFA pre affiliated pletely but only to ensure that kong. to the Football Association registered players are not con- (England FA) and in thetravening any of the HKFA or Federation Internationale de International rules relating to Football Association (FIFA) to association football and thereby
themselves
11.
from Asian
raid that the situation has bren in existence for many years bul, if I may quote, 'Let not the sins of the fathers be visited
their children' upon and the fact that certain mem- bers of the Present Counc!! have pointed out what in their opinion is a breach of regula- tions is no reason at all for a hue and cry to be raised by
who
appear those
to be
Some time ago the suggestion was made that our Class One efficials should not restrict themselves
senior whom they are solely randobarring solely to games, There was a feeling sible for the conduct of associu-future participation in
tion football In Hongkong.
Cup and Olympic Games. that football generally would
Sports Fan's remarks regard- I The point has also been since then' and, as a point of benent if they showed a willing- ing the report of the ASF & Interest, during my 15 years to take appointments in OC meeting last Tuesday would as a referee I have never had junior matches,
There is have had itle meaning had the Decasion to send a player off nothing derogatory, in this idea
press published full reports on the field... a tribute to the for it is surely better to keep the HKFA Council meeting held players,
our top senior referers fully on the same evening to whom employed and at razor sharp
the decision of the ASF & OC pitch rather than to "blunt'
was conveyed. their edge through inactivity.
FIFA Laws It is obvious of
course that with regard further to Sports this would restrict the opport- Fan's remarks
of the foolish for up and coming actions by European members
offended. whistlers to get mutch practice of Council and inane articles by
The solution Ites with the but in the long run by letting MacTavish, I would draw his
HK Miniature Football Asso- them work side by side with attention to Statute No.
elation who should apply to the experienced men it would be a Article 2 OBJECT' of the Sta case of the swings
and the tutes, Regulations, Standing Or-FA and FIFK for amtiation and roundabouts all over again, ders of the FIFA which state: membership, or maybe they are
Mr Lyttle has done some ex-
The objects of the Federa- reluctant to do this. Hongkong 10 Pellent
FIFA FAN, work the playing tion are to develop the game of management, players, refereen helds of
in every Football us Association Hongkong and. and the press.
the game belts a man who has been in way which seems proper to the Amateur ar top class player FIFA or to its Executive Com-
to encourage and highly qualified official, hemittee: When he arrives at his
Footbal; to control Professional! Is the best judge of his own Football; to foster friendly rela Under that letter will be the decision and of the office on Monday morning signature of dying Offeer J. E.
circum.
tions between the National As- stances which predisposed I, the (Pat) Lyttle of the Royal Air Secretary of
sociations; to take all such steps Hongkong Football Asso-Force,
Retirement by a man in his as shall be deemed necessary or clation will find
a courageous commendable for preventing in- With among
present variable palme s always standard of refereeing in the r but as rumour has it that tringements of the Statutes, Re- his Christmas mall a very | Colony the HKFA can 113 afford Pat has been seen in the coun-gulations and Standing Orders important letter.
te lost the services of one of Its tryside with a fine new set of of the Congress of the FIFA or mast experienced field officials golf clubs it would appear that of the Laws of the Game as laid and the news of Pat Lathe is not deserting a sporting down by the International Foot- tie's resignation will tinge the life entirely. seasonal spirit of goodwill with | All who are connected with
the
★ ✰
When he opens the envelope this is what he will read,
"I regret to inform you that I have decided to resign from The Tofercen panel of the
Maybe it is coincidence.......... maybe it is a case of long range telepathy....but in his latest column Stanley Hongkong Football Azolation. Matthews made a point "I have deliberated over my that coincides very closely | decision with one which I believe! various factors have contribut will be aired here very ed to my finally making up.my
mind.
soon.
In the Sunday Express last Sunday, Stanley made the com- ment "Don't forget that football gotes are dwindling...."
some
"If there must bo changes in otte lespie systern why not Friday or Saturday evening games under the lights? What could be better in the late summer or early spring?"
The Idea of playing compe. titive football under flood- Ights is something which hai
WEEKEND
THE
BUT IT'S THE
TREE we BOUGHT LAGT
CHRISTMAS
for some time
and
"(a) The hustle and bustle of present day football calls for younger meni.
large present number of referees 03 the Hongkong Football Association
(b) The
ponet cars fewer games for
"I have been grateful for the privilege of associating with you."
the
a touch of sadness.
The letter brings out two very important points which are worthy of consideration by officials... and by offcial. dom.
He Knows Best
There is snely little doubt that no one knows belter than a referee when he' has had a good or a bad game. Maybe satisfar-
or unsatisfactory is a better
description of a referee's rear- all concerned and I find that on to his own perfomance but, whatever it is, no one knows (i the current gap of three weeks better than the man with the between appointments blunts whistle himself. Every referee my approach to the game and can run into u sticky patch and I have been dissatisfied with have a poor game but when once my recent
performaneds! My he feels that generally his rene- absence fram the list will tons and reflexes are no longer
GAMBOLS .
WELL, BUY ANOTHER
I'VE BEEN ALL YEAR GETTING IT
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IT'S FROMA
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football in Hongkong will thank hiin for his contribution to the game and wish him well in the future.
ball Association Board, and prevent the introduction of other improper methods or practices in the game, and to protect it from. abuses,"
Now it will be apparent that any Club afiliated to the FA and FIFA is expected to play association football in accord- this week's
taleance with, I quote, "the Laws down by of the Game as laid wagger I have a spot of the International Football Assor information for
and these riation Board," hot in any manner whatsoever allow for association football to
For
fans.
Soccer
do
A new book 'Soccer around be played on a pitch, or with a the Globe hns just been ball, or with goal posts which with the stan- published in Britain by Abelard- do not comply Schuman, Lid. It is written by dards laid down by the IFA Brian Granville who is widely Board, and it is obvious that recognised as one of the leading | miniature football, although authorities on international played under asociation foot- football affairs....and, It you ball rules with regard to fouls, are looking for a suitable pre- goals cic, does not comply with sent for a real football en- the stipulations in so far as it is
by Barry Appleby
IS THIS A
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