1959-12-12 — Page 29

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1959.

SATURDAY SPORTS SPOT

A Topical Review Of

The Miniature Football Controversy

By I. M. MacTAVISH

There is no better organised sport în Hongkong than miniature football. There is certainly no sport that regularly provides such healthy competitive recreation for so many individual players and in return their efforts probably provide free entertainment for more people than any other sport- ing activity which we practise at the present time. Beyond a shadow of a doubt miniature football is ably con- trolled by a virile team of officials. Similarly there is not the shadow of a doubt that the whole structure of the game has been materially and significantly influenced by the prevailing conditions in our community.

raz

One

And nothing but i nem mut en kr the why Lis get developed in status 111 numbers ..... iny.

above allpularity, 111

of nedenl in the ene bond and nating entertatament the other

(11)

д

frem

have

errinin - pinvers to ignore a ruling which transgrewed

FIFA has already handed down. internationally agreed rules.

also have to

ndmil one of the most it might Similarly, Important functions of FIFA is eventually that even while these in puuvet the tenets of the self-some players were known to be in danger of breaking the ne by preventing COTTI- tions of, and divergences from rules they were actually being

take part

freely the laws, which might harm permitted to

In important international com- petitions ike the Asian Games and the Asian Cup and that they

have played regularly touring lozans from

Be spurt.

Out Of FIFA Fold

These sugestions are based on the premise that the pee- sent Betions of the HKFA are sound.

Mini-Soccer Controversy To

Be Aired Over Radio HK

The decision by the Hongkong Festbell Association ta Forbid Reveral star soccer players from taking part in mlal- soccer matches pending the receipt of a ruling by the Fodera- tion of International Football Associations has aroused one of the greatest sporting controversies of all time in Ifongkong. Opinionis age sharply divided as to whether the Associă- tion has taken the proper rabasures, and in "Dontroversy” which will be broadcast by Radio Hongkong at @ p.m. to- morrow Ted Thomas referees & discomion by two of the prime contenders in this matter. They are Major Jack Weston and Mr Lee Man-kit. both Council members of the Hong- kong Football Association.

In tomorrow's programme they introduce their own per- Fonal and opposing views on the matter and also explain to Listeners exactly what has taken place so far.

Contrary to some deliberate- ly provocative suggestions have head, I do not believe for a moment that there is a single member of the Council of the Hongkong Football Associa- tion who has the slightest do- sire or intention to injure or prejudice the miniature game in eny way.

The reerni council action Which it took in barring all its registered players from parti- pating in competitive mula- lure football was done strictly in the line of duty. I was a rfectly fogical action. Inevit ably it

was unpopular, with a number of people but that does not make it wrong.

Curs.

Ample Room

Mini-ball and Association side Football can live happily by sitic in a community such as There is ample room for holh codes....just as there

and for Rugby Union This scoms to be a maller room which concerns players, team Ruby League in other parts of and field officials in equal meu-the world, but there can be of no intermingling of player re- sure.

time as the sources until such small-ball game gets official re- cognition from FIFA. Players are of course free to choose one or the alter,

Tvitally important that alt these things should be said In the strongest and clearest Posible way at this moment when

331-Intermed "or fir

observer might be casital tempted to think that mini-

TA something of Borger cancer in tool sporting affairs and that efforts are being me to ostracise 1, and all who rariteipate in it. other forms of football. Nothing could be further from the truth or think i would serve a 1 stful purpore F in this entiels I tried to review the rent contreverry which modela n'y fare: up around It as in this I am not!

The implications are obviona. tkurting tr anticipating the

Any REGISTERED player of privitete of the HKFA to issue the HKFA who takes part in an official statement o the Ainiature football competitions subject for

much may be breaking the 50

rules of to the

international garnishing is being acied

current stories: body many of the

and na a conséquener! basic facts are In he could land himself in a very that the

far danger of being lost in a jungle dificult situation as

ER of irrelevant matter.

standard football is concerned.

It is in this particular phase inst that lfongkong's mänilure; other parts of the world. football lands in trouble.. Ac-i Fording to the expressed prin- elples of FIFA It would appear that no player who is registered with a member association may ke part in any corrupt form of the

Jare

and by tts rile the Hongkong Minia- e Football Arociation puls self outside the FIFA fold for IT INDICATES THAT IT, emburrassing, PLAYS ITS GAME WITH A SMALL BALL ON A PITCH WHICH DOES NOT CON- FORM TO THE REGULATION MEASUREMENTS.

Allegiance

been following the I have controversy very closely and I think I now have a pretty clear Picture

going what is and why..

of

COILEGUENTER

'The FIFA displeasure could be very

Frankly, as things stand the HKFA has poor case to offer ... but.... and I think this is the crux of the whole thing

the Ilongkong Miniature

Football Assoola- OWN tion has IN ITS RIGHT an excellent case.

controlling Special Committee?

There is as far as I can pee, o doubt about this at All for there is, I under- stand, ample evidence that FIFA has already

officially football, **noted miniature

as played here,

In fact, if my information is The Hongkong Football Asso- pecurute and I have every rea-

wan

It seems that far more could for the lasting nchleyed betterment of inter-code foot ball relations in. Hongkong if an

commitico Enterprising formed among enlightened local Torten to prepare The Mind Ball' cause for submission dirzel to FIFA...... with the backing of the Olympic Committee.

Miniature football has nothing a magnificent

necessary

clation owes a very clearly de-son to believe it is, it was be- to be ashamed of. It has made, hed allegiance to FIFA which cause of this very rejection that and is making,

in the hidest controlling body the Hongkong Miniature Foot-contribution to our community

football, in international

All ball Association lost its affated Important football organisations status to the parent body in the affairs. It can be very proud of throughout the world are mem- Colony Lere or afliates of FIFA

and That is a general retrospect

its achievements.

Oil

The fact that the Miniaturo Football Association is affiliat- ed to the Olympio' Committee of Hongkong gives it prestige but contrary to popular opinion it does not give any official status in a football senso,

The ball, small as it is, is

. let them now at the feet of the officials of the HKMFA. kick it to FIFA. There will be plenty of vocal support, syin pathy and encouragement help it on its way.

For

10

a 'tale-wagger' this week 1 quote without comment from Jack

Sports Diary

TO-DAY TO-MORROW Racing First Day of Tinh Race Meeting.

At the last council meeting of as ruch they enjoy certain very of the situation. The big prob- the HKFA Mr Mok Hing made definite privileges. These ad-em is to consider what con best an excellent point about the

ve done about it... for I reminiature game developing vantages may not be quite spent there is a wealth at good small pitches with a small ball apparent to a small association in the small ball game.

for the very good reason that in this densely packed cornmunity | 2 pm. these were vital essentials football was to be played at all by the marses. That is surely the very soul of the mini-ball story....but sadly, as things stand at the moment it does not qualify it for international ac-

sich as we have here in Hong- kong but it should be remem- bered that one of the rignificant aspects of member-

most

Further Thoughts According to press reports the ship is that you cannot engage HKFA is now going to submit in football friendly or the whole question to FIFA for competitive... with another further clarification, I hope that

which is not organisation

3 even at this late hour there will member... or which includes be further thoughts on the ceptance. players suspended by, or unac-matter, for by such a generous ceptable to, FIFA.

action which is really a *The most recent example of

move-on оп botuli of the this kind of thing secured Miniature Football Association during Heart of Midlothian's the FA could be leaving it- tour of Australia when FIFA self open 10 the strongest refused permission for the possible rebuke from 'Hoad- Scottish champions to play quarters.'

against Federation teams It might have to admit that which included mid-European for several years it has probably Players wha were held to been

THE

WEEKEND

allowing its registered

'GAMBOLS.

Cricket First day of Interport-Mataya v Hongkong. Chater Road, 10.30 IM.

Hoccer

Archer's column which appeared on page 21 of last Sunday's mass cir. culation British news- paper, The People, under a heading "Chinese Pair for Barry?"

The first two paragraphs in die column read as follows:-

"Jom Balley, Chairman 01 Barry Town, has arrived back in England after a visit to Hongkong where he was the Rest of the loom FA.

“I raw some good football onl there," he says, and noted two good Chinese players. Could be that before long they'll join the Swede and the Finn we already have on our books,"

TOO

OLD

AT 35?

When West Indian Test cricketer Frank Worrell recently announced his decision to make himself available for the forth- coming series against England he made one significant statement.

He expressed doubts about his fitness and said: "At the age of 35 first-class cricket does not come carlly to me."

Now that kind of talk would have been laughable before the war.

Sir Jack Hoobs was 47 when he played his last Test against Australia and he made more than half his 197 centuries after his 10th birthday.

George Guan1 Was playing Test cricket at the age of 50. Wilfred Rhodes was 52 when he played against The West Indies in 1929.

year

RETIRING AT 39

How times have changed. This England wickel-keeper Godfrey Evans has followed Str Len Hution's example by retir- fing at the age of 39.

And all the players in the 15-strong MCC team bound for the West Indies are under 30. Only two of them-Peier May and Kelih Andrew.—are over 28.

1st Division: South China v Kwong Wah (C); Police v Happy Valley (33), bodi matches at 3.50 pro

Reserve Division: South China v With more frequent tours and Kwong Wali (CH) 2 pm.

longer Tests, cricket has become 2nd Division: Koon Wun v Hos mare strenuous in recent years. Ying (85) 3 pm.; Caroline Hill v But I still believe that a bals- club (Navy) 3 pin; BIL y Tele-man can be in his prime at 35. phone (Navy) 350 v.m.; Prions v Taikoo (Stanley) 3.30-9.m.; AFS V Worrell was the leading bats- REME (119) 2 punt; Ray Kai Tai man in the series against Eng- Y RAF Sai Wan (HV) 380 p.m.

land two years ago. And I fancy

The case is well worth pre- senting to FIFA with the strongest possibin backing. I feel certain li would get a sympathetic hearing. The outcome of such a petition would at least clear the air

3rd Division: Rediffusion v C&W he can still show the young 'uns locally and let everybody | (117) z pm; Sắc Ying v Pive-One- a thing or two in the forthcom- know just where they stand,

Seven (HV) z pan.: HK Gas y 3&ing Tests-London Express Ser- (HV) SE pлn.; Dodwell v Univer and why.

sty (HV) 130 pan.

vice.

By Barry Appleby

GAY!! YOUVE 6 FORGOTTEN TO TINKE CHRISTMAS CAKE OUT OF THE OVEN,

HOT WATER

HOW DO YOU REMEMBER

HALF A

POUND OF BUTTER- TWO ROUNDS FLOUR

OWE POUND CURRANTS -NUTMEG-POUND

CASTOR SUGAR- TEACUPFUL OF.

ALL THE RIGHT AMOUNTS

MEMORY TRAINING.

- SIX EGGE

LATE

O

an instant

WITH GAS

EEK!

DK.JOS

AIR-INDIA