SPORT.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17466, 28 July 1928, Page 13 (Supplement)

SPORT.

money makes the mare go. (By “Marama.”) In the world of sport matters are not being carried on as smoothly as might be expected. Mr Tilden, the great American tennis champion, has been struck out of the ranks of amateurs on account of articles contributed to the press on tournaments ra •which he was taking part. The Mayor of Masterton has expressed the wisu that the Ranfurly Shield could bo dropped overboard when crossing Cook Straits. The two items may seem to have little in common, but they both proceed from a feeling that is growing with many people that sport is altogether too commercialised. It is inevitable but it is very regrettable, and when Uie Mayor of Masterton gives voice to the feeling it should call for something different from the rude reply which was made. Sport has become the chief interest in life of very large numbers of people. There are large numbers who play, and sti.. larger numbers who look on, and the organisation of the games, and the provision of accommodation for spectators becomes a big business, employing many men in its service and requiring much money to carry it out. The money comes from spectators, and a thrill must be provided for them at m short intervals. The tendency is to cater for the games that attract the crowds, and there is a danger that the •humbler players may be overlooked. This is bad for the champions and bad for those who play in the lower grad?, and yet it is' hard to see how it can he avoided. Money, and a good deal of money, is required to provide and maintain playing fields, and this means a constant effort to attract the crowds, i and in that effort it sometimes happens that the real interests of sport are overlooked. Man is a Combative Animal. We sometimes fancy that the taste for sport is peculiar to Anglo-Saxons and is .a modern development. It is a mistaken idea. Whenever men have congregated in large numbers they have looked for games and sports and usually of a competitiye nature. Ihe Greeks met every fourth year to carry 'out athletic sports, and the youths from the different provinces met in rivalry. The Romans had gladiatorial games, bloodthirsty affairs, ill which the combatants fought and the loser was commopiy killed ,in accordance with the verdict of the people. When Christianity put an end to this debasing spectacle chariot races became the delight of the multitude. When Rome was overthrown by barbarians sport disappeared for a time. It requires a certain minimum of civilisation, but as this sport was revived, and took the shape of tournaments. The Knights were supposed to joust for the love of the sport, but the victor claimed the horse and armour of the vanquished which meant playing for pretty high stakes. Common people who could not afford horses and Armour were amused with such things as bull baiting, bear -baiting, and cockfighting, sports that our..more human generation has abolished. Spain still delights In bull fights, although if we may judge from reports it is a peculiarly cowardly sport, in whicli many unfortunate horses are disembowelled, while the bull never has a chance. Wherever people assemble in large numbers amusement in the shape of competitive games comes into existence, and money is wanted to provide the necessary equipment. Play* Up, And Play the Game. Compared with the sports that appealed to our ancestors, cricket, football, and hockey have much to be said for them. They are free from cruelty to dumb animals, while they are sufficiently strenuous to develop nerve and courage and endurance. They act to some extent in the same direction as chivalry, in encouraging the right spirit which can win without elation or lose without bitterness. The team which takes its loss with good-humour and without trying to find excuses earns respect. Most crowds arc sufficiently sporting to welcome good play even if victorious, from a team opposed to their own side. No decent player would consent to win by unfair methods. These are well defined civic virtues, which'games have done much to develop, and in addition there is the unquestioning obedience that is rendered to the umpire or referee. That is a real conquest of the old Adam within us, and such heights are not always reached. At the same time the game" is always working in this direction and doing much for those who take part. The spirit of comradeship which obtains among the members of a team is another asset, and it is not too much to say that games are the chief moral agents with young people at one stage of their life. Lag Superfluous on the Stage. We have pointed out the benefits to oc derived from games, and it is but fair to point out that there is another side. The average player who attracts little or no attention from press or spectators runs little danger of being spoilt. It is the champions of the game who fall victims. The applause goes to their heads, and they come to live for the game, and to neglect all else. For a few years they are the idols of the crowd, but time must he served, and they give way after a brief career to younger men, and are forgotten. Their thoughts have been given to the game to the neglect of weightier matters, and they fl::d themselves superfluous. This is what induces so many among them to try and .find a market in their names for contributions to the press, which it must be admitted are in bad taste when they concern others taking part in the same tournament. The temptations that beset a champion are many. He must maintain his place at the top in order to keep public admiration, and he tends to be envious, grudging, and ungenerous. It Is not that every champion falls a victim, but that he requires unusual strength of mind to avoid it. The playing of games is good, and is a very real benefit to the community, though like other things it should not be. overdone. It is the player whose skill makes him famous that suffers, and it is international games and Ranfurly Shields that are his undoing. If the Mayor of Maslerton’s wish could be carried out it would probably do much for the game; do much good and prevent some harm.