War Goes On, And Soccer Flourishes

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31519, 6 November 1967, Page 14

War Goes On, And Soccer Flourishes

(Special Crspdt N.Z PA) SAIGON. Not even the most bitter wars can stop the South Vietnamese from playing soccer.

Indeed, one of the stranger paradoxes of this strange war is that it has probably helped develop the sport, at least in the capital. The French brought soccer to Indo-China and the Vietnamese fell in love with it. They play the game whenever possible and under any conditions.

About six weeks ago a Viet Cong battalion hit the town of Hoi An, 370 miles northeast of Saigon. United States troops struck back and there was a bloody battle. As the Americans walked through the shattered town, with three Viet Cong bodies still in the streets, they saw a big, noisy crowd. They investigated—and found a soccer match. Sponsored by Army

But outside Saigon, little competitive soccer is possible. It is in the capital that the war actually helps it. A war means a big army, and the South Vietnamese Army is a massive sponsor of the sport. A total of 59 teams play league soccer in Saigon. Most of them are army units. The others represent the Police or Government departments.

The president of Vietnam's Sportswriters’ Association, Phan Nhu My, says the Army keeps its best players in Saigon and gives them all the time they need to train. “Without the Army’s support, the game would not be nearly as strong as it is." he said. See Nothing Strange As the local teams are not based on district lines, the crowds tend to be non-parti-san. D. Brian, an Australian national serviceman who is playing top grade soccer here, says: “As long as it’s a good game, they don’t care much who wins.” Everything is subordinated to national considerations. Whenever the national side is required, local competitions are suspended. Local officials see nothing strange in Saigon being host to an eight-nation tournament, including the New Zealand team, in the middle of a war. “The people love good soccer and this will give it to them,” said Phan Nhu My. “It will also show we are capable of running such a big event well, in spite of the war.”

My said the Government had put 12 million piastres (about $72,000) into the tournament

“I don’t think it will get much more than a million piastres back,” he added. _