Empire Games of 1950 Awarded to New Zealand

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26849, 13 August 1948, Page 5

Empire Games of 1950 Awarded to New Zealand

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent LONDON, Aug. 11. New Zealand was, awarded the British Empire Games of 1950 at a meeting of the % British Empire Games Federation to-day. The voting for holding the Games in the Dominion was 12—2, Canada and Bermuda being opposed to the decision.

The Canadians applied for the Games to be held at Toronto, and offered a £12.000 guarantee, but the federation thought it preferable that they should go to the southern hemxsphere, particularly in view of the fact that New Zealand had not had the Games before. They had been held in Canada in 1930. The New Zealand claim was advanced by Mr D. T. Woodfield, manager of the New Zealand Olympic team, who said a guarantee of £15,000 sterling would be provided. This was accepted It is stated that no indication is at present available of the number of Empire countries which will compete in New Zealand, but it is expected that the majority will send teams. The International Amateur Athletics' Federation decided that the Games will be held either in Christchurch or Auckland. The sports will be athletics, boxing, cycling, rowing, swimming, wrestling, and bowls. New Zealand will have the option of adding two other sports, subject to the approval of the Empire Games Federation. Mr A. E. Porritt was elected chairman of the federation in succession to Sir James L&igh-Wood, who has retired.