Visit rejected by sportsman

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32659, 15 July 1971, Page 1

Visit rejected by sportsman

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 14. John Lowes, who was almost a certainty to be chosen for next year’s New Zealand softball team to attend the world championships, is not available for selection because this might have meant visiting South Africa.

It is, in fact, almost definite that the New Zealand team will visit South Africa before going to the world event in the Philippines.

“Once in a lifetime there is an opportunity to say ‘no’ to a trip to South Africa, and this is my chance,” he said.

“I would never have a clear conscience again if I was chosen in the final team and then went there.” There is little doubt that Lowes would have been selected. He attended the world championships in Oklahoma City in 1968 and returned to the United States for a few months in 1969. Since he returned from America Lowes has consistently been one of the top players in New Zealand and was selected for the New Zealand team ahead of D. Sorenson (Hutt Valley), who had captained the national team against the “Arizona

All Stars” the previous season. The secretary of the Softball Association (Mr G. F. Vincent) said today that it was not yet finally decided whether or not the national team would visit South Africa. “We have certainly had dealings with the South African Softball Association with a view to sending a team there before or after the tournament in the Philippines, but we have not firmed up anything yet,” he said. “If we do send a team tc South Africa it is naturally the prerogative of any player- to opt out of the squad. It is over td them and we, obviously, will respect their views,” Mr Vincent said.