TOP N.Z. ATHLETES CONCERNED Backwater In World Sport Unless Govt. Gives Aid

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31224, 23 November 1966, Page 23

TOP N.Z. ATHLETES CONCERNED Backwater In World Sport Unless Govt. Gives Aid

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. New Zealand would cease to be a power in Olympic and Commonwealth sports festivals after the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games unless the Government took more interest in promoting sport, said D. Oliver, the Commonwealth Games weight-lifting gold medallist.

He was supported by the Olympic gold medallist, M. G. Halberg, and the international cyclist, L. J. Byers.

Oliver said that New Zealand’s top sportsmen had to mortgage their future to continue in sport. “Standards are rising so quickly with government aid overseas that New Zealand will soon be a sporting backwater,” he said. However, Oliver’s opinions were refuted by Mr C. L. S. Cross, chairman of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games selectional panel. He felt that both Olympic and Commonwealth teams and practically all other sports had received considerable help from the Government. Must Give Lead Oliver said “Many of New Zealand’s top competitors have to help administer their sports and assist in fund raising and building campaigns as well as worrying about their own training and competitions.”

After referring to the time he spent helping schools and clubs, he added: “The Government must give the lead and start by increasing its financial aid to sports organisations.”

He was considering not even trying to win a place in the Mexico City Olympic Games team because of the problems he was facing. Byers believed that a Ministry of Sport should be established, as in many other countries. Halberg said New Zealand had some of the finest hospitals and doctors iit the world but the Government was doing virtually nothing to prevent illness. Sport would help to offset the country’s huge medical bill and help with delinquency. Donation Of £l2OO “The 1964 Olympic team and this year’s Commonwealth Games team were helped by a donation of £l2OO from the Golden Kiwi, thanks to the Government,” said Mr Cross.

“Other sports have also received plenty of financial help. You only have to look in the newspaper to see the

assistance given to sports. when the list of Golden Kiwi: grants is published. “I would hate to see us i rely completely on the Gov-i ernment for finance for sport.” Many European countries have a ministry of sport but! Mr Cross did not think that was the answer in New Zealand. “Why should our overseas sports performances be any different after 1968?,” he asked. I “State aid for sport began in Europe just after the war, so it has been operating for about 20 years. “In that time we have proved most successful in overseas competition. “I see no reason why we should stop being so after the Mexican Olympics.”

Team Selected.— The Wairarapa cricket team to play Taranaki at New Plymouth this week-end is: D. Biss (captain), G. Percy, K. Percy, R. Davies, R. Collinge, M. Wilkinson, S. Ingram, G. Mahupuku, R. Francis, G. Bunny, K. Keenan.