CHINA AWAKING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 283, 27 August 1935, Page 14

CHINA AWAKING

Urge For Athletics

China is taking up athletics in a serious way. Not only is the liking for outdoor sports spreading among the people, but the national government is ordering the adoption of regular training in schools and by public officials. General Chiang Kai-shek has decreed that every school teacher and every pupil or student above secondary grade and every public official must henceforth select at least one form of athletic sport and train regularly. His order says: “Athletics, as a means of developing the physique of the people, should be regarded as an important part of the programme for the strengthening of the race and the salvation of the nation. It should be actively promoted and universally encouraged. “That is why our forefathers included archery and chariot racing among the six arts which had to be acquired by all scholars and public officials. “But the public functionaries, especially in Kuomintang, government and military organs are so fond of an easy life that they seldom take an interest m athletics. A situation like this is scarcely in accord with the policy of the government to strengthen the nation and the race.” Acting on plans submitted by the Ministry of Education, the executive Yuan has ordered a national athletic meet every two years.