Gezira Sports Club An Oasis In Cairo for Troops

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 5 (Supplement)

Gezira Sports Club An Oasis In Cairo for Troops

f ETTERS from men of the New L Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East have frequently mentioned with a deep note of gratitude and delight the wonderful welcome given-to them, while on leave, at the popular Gezira Sports Club in Cairo. It is a haven of comfort and athletic facilities for all ranks. There is more activity at the club nowadays than there has ever been before, and, in the circumstances, it is not'surprising that cricket, football, and golf occupy principal attention.

The following article from a recent issue of the " Egyptian Cazctte " gives a pen picture of a rendezvous which l, as developed from small beginnings to a place of world reputation: — Well over half a century ago. in 1882, to be exact, the Khedival Sporting flub was formed in Cairo. Limited as /porting activities were in those days, the club began in a very small way and catered for only a few. By efficient management and an ability to keep pace with the rapid emancipation of sport, the Khedival Club prospered, eventually became the Gezira Sporting Club, and to-day must take its place beside the premier organisations of its kind in the world. Princes, aristocracy, and men of high rank have spent many an hour of leisure at Gezira, and have helped to conduct the affairs of the club. Now

officers and rankers alike, when they can get away from war business, can Und all the physical enjoyment and exercise they desire in the spacious jrounds of this establishment.

Coven Two Hundred Acres. The club covers practically two hundred acres, and its amenities include a racecourse, where twenty meetings, seventeen on Saturdays, are held during the season, which extends from November to March; an eighteen-hole golf course running to 6279 yards with 9 standard scratch score of 72: twenty tennis courts; a cricket pitch with a wicket almost as good as any to be found in England; eight squash courts; three bowling greens; three croquet lawns; a swimming bath; two hacking tracks, and two polo grounds. There were three polo grounds, but

one of them was taken over and placea at the disposal of " other ranks" for Rugby, Soccer, hockey, and cricket. In addition there are facilities' for volley ball, badminton, and quoits for the troops.

Dressing rooms have been built for the use of the men, containing hot and cold showers, while nearby there is a canteen newly erected for the troops and run by women members. Every Saturday night there is a dinner dance in the restaurant, where meals can be obtained at any time of the day. Many prominent cricketers ffaave played on the Gezira pitch, ana even now firstclass county players, including an England captain, turn out from time to time.

For eleven consecutive years up to the outbreak of war, Mr H. M. Martineau brought over a team from England containing some of the cream of county talent, and the cricket they provided was always highly appreciated. Abdou is Gezira's cricket professional (incidentally he is also tennis professional) and his spin bowling alone— he turns the ball either way—would get him into a first-class English side. Th« Golf Course. The golf course is "ruled" by two Scots, James Wynne and his assistant, Jack Kerr. Wynne, twice winner of the Egyptian open championship, also holds the course record with a round of 66, six under fours. He accomplished this splendid score in the first round of the thirty-six-hole replay for the open title in the 1939-40 season, when he easily beat R. L. Moffitt, who has won the championship on half-a-dozen occasions.

Although there is very little competitive golf now, before the war the open and amateur championships of Egypt were played alternatively at Gezira and Alexandria.

It is a recognised fact that the Gezira golf course now compares favourably with any in Europe, and one of the first to appreciate this was his Highness the Aga Khan, the famous racehorse owner and sportsman. Often in the past the Aga Khan has sent a cablegram saying that he was arriving by air for a round of golf, and asking Kerr to be ready to go round with him. The Aga Khan invariably played with Kerr and no one else.

General Sir Archibald Wavell and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore are to be seen playing together now, while there are several scratch players among the "visitors" to Cairo.

Originally all the greens were sand, but now they are grass laid and are not as easy to negotiate as they look, A round of golf is well within the financial reach of everyone, clubs being lent out at a very small charge. Houseboats for the Troops. In addition to the golf and cricket " pros.," the club maintains three tennis professionals in addition to Abdou, besides three squash tutors. Ball boys are also always at your service on the tennis court. Further to the sporting amenities provided the Gezira Club is doing fine work for the troops in another direction.

Entirely out of the pockets of the elected members, they have hired two boats, the Puritan and the Niagara, from the American Nile Company, and use them for accommodating men of the army, navy or R.A.F. who are on leave. There is room for eighty-seven men, and they are comfortably housed and well fed at a cost to themselves of nothing more than their cigarettes and drinks.

The boats are moored on the Nile just outside the west gate of the club. In addition, from time to time parties of men who are convalescing are entertained at the club by members.

Practically the year through the flower gardens are in bloom, and thanks to the care and attention they are given under the supervision of LieutenantColonel R. C. R. Owen Pasha, they present a panorama of colour that gives a finishing touch to the delightful surroundings.

Indoors, considerable interest is shown in the bridge room. Bridge, in fact, is about the* major interest apart from the outside activities.

His Majesty King Farouk is patron of the club, while the resident British Ambassador is always president. Pastpresidents include such famous people as Earl Kitchener, Viscount Allenby, Lord Lloyd, Sir Percy Lorraine, and Sir Eldon Gorst. Sir Miles Wedderburn Lampson holds the office now. Maadi Recreational Tent. From this delightful venue we go to the other extreme, to a spot on the edge of the desert where, with nothing but canvas over their heads and their only surroundings trees and then desert as far as the eye can see, soldiers find comfort, leisure and pleasure and are not slow to voice their full appreciation for all that is done for them.

This place is known as the Maadi Recreational Tent. It is managed and run by a handful of British women from Maadi who work hard and unceasingly in the interest of the troops stationed nearby.

Last February the British residents of this delightful suburb of Cairo got together and decided to erect this huge tent entirely at their own cost. For a short time the men of Maadi worked alongside their womenfolk, but now the women carry on alone taking turns to act as cooks, cashiers, librarians and concert organisers. Out of the piece of desert has sprung a club, if such it can be called, where much is done to make life easier for the troops. The library is well stocked with books, while in the same room there are writing facilities. Then there is table tennis and darts, a wireless set and a gramophone, plus a nine-hole golf course where one can keep well in trim as far as putting and approaching go. In addition tickets can be obtained here for a round on the nearby eighteen-hole course at the Maadi Sports Club, together with tickets for tennis at the Sports Club and on the Marconi courts.

There is plenty of room in the dining "hall" for meals which, incidentally, are handled only by British women. The food is cooked and dealt with under verv hygienic conditions, the kitchens being surprisingly modern in their equipment. Concerts are given from time to time, while there is hardly a moment when someone or other is not strumming on the piano.