INTERNATIONALISM IN SPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20362, 20 March 1928, Page 5

INTERNATIONALISM IN SPORT

ADDRESS BY MR DONALD GRANT

; At the University Chib luncheon yes- , terdny (lie speaker was Mr Donald i Grant (international secretary ' of the Student Christian Movement), who spoke ' ou “ Internationalism in Sport." : Introducing his subject, Mr Grant referred to the widespread application of I internationalism to all departments of i human activity and endeavour. In 1 Europe internationalism in sport was • most noticeable, he said, and those who knew Europe would agree with him that now about ten times as many young , people in Europe indulged in games, as • was the case before the war. This was ono of the most promising features of the 1 conditions in Europe to-day. The value of proficiency iu sport from a national 1 point of view could r-ot bo exaggerated. Representative players and representative teams as representatives of their county helped to bring their country before the notice of the world. They wore chosen because they were the best in their line, and when they came into conflict with , the representatives of other nations they took iu their hands the reputation of their country. The opponents judged their country by its proficiency in a certain game, because that was the sphere in which those opponents were most interested. The discipline, self-control, unselfishness, sportsmanship, and perseverance required in sport of all kinds were factors of international sport also, which had their effect on players, and, be believed, iintimatcly on nations. Referring again to Europe’s increased indulgence in sport, Mr Grant said that this could be noticed in the behaviour of the people who bad had experience of games. Sport had a good influence on the individual everywhere, and he had noticed great improvements in Europe in this respect. He referred to many of the association football teats which he had seen between the, various countries of (Vntral Europe. The. contacts thus established were recognised by the people as personal intercourse, per medium of sport, at the back of which there was no ulterior motive. Rugby, Association football, hockey, lawn tennis, and athletics were making groat strides in many countries, and iu Germany in purticulai. The All Blacks had created a great impression in England in 1924. Schoolboys had idolised them, and older people bad cherished feelings hardly less intense In France also a good impression had been made, and lie felt sure that the New Zealand team in South Africa would make as good a showing from every point of view, because the eye s of many peoples would be on them. . . Speaking of lawn tennis, Mr Grant said that the effect of the play of the Frpnchmen in America last year was wholly good. It would help international _ affairs equally as much as the sporting ability of each plavcr or team concerned. Golf had a history quite similar. International contests in golf were productive of great good, and tlie widespread nature of the benefits derived could be gauged from the keen interest taken in the games in all parts of the world. He instanced the biennial matches between England and America, which were typical instances of the value of internationalism in sport. Golf was full of instances of international finals. French, Dutch, German, American, and English players met in open championships every year. The Chinese championships were played last year in spite of internal troubles, and he had seen half-naked natives in many countries who could wield a club with the best. Although from certain points of view, Mr Grant concluded, abuses crept in, yet the increase in the indulgence in games throughout the world was all for the best. Representatives in any branch of sport had to be in the pink of physical and mental condition. And since that was the case they must make worthy ambassadors of the country they represented to tlie country they were visiting. Dr Benson, on behalf of the club, moved a hearty vote of (hanks to the speaker.