Maori Sport

Te Ao Hou, March 1968, Page 5

Maori Sport Taumarunui is becoming recognised as a centre for Maori sport. Responsible for this to a large extent, is the King Country Maori Sports Association, set up at Taumarunui five years ago. Early criticism of the association was based on the effect that ‘Maori only’ sporting activities could have on the advocated integration of Maori and Pakeha. But the Association's stated aim was to encourage Maori players to compete in their own tournaments, gain confidence and then enter in open events. It claims that it has already achieved success along these lines. The first venture was the King Country Maori tennis championships, and 80 competitors took part from many parts of the King Country. A team was sent to the New Zealand championships, brought out of recess at Wairoa by Sir Turi Carroll, the same year. Miss Hine Peni returned to Taumarunui with the women's singles title, which she regained this year at the 1968 championships at Rotorua. She also shared the women's doubles with her sister Kaheta, and the team won the district shield. Three years ago the association was host for the New Zealand Maori junior championships at Taumarunui. Last year the King Country championships were made open and a large Arawa contingent took part. Visitors from other centres also helped to make up the field of over 100. The next sport the association sponsored was table tennis and again the first King Country closed championships drew huge entries. The next year the tournament was made open, then two years ago the association obtained the authority of the New Zealand Table Tennis Association to sponsor the first ever New Zealand Maori table tennis championships. Once again, entries came from as far afield as Wellington and Whangarei. Gisborne arranged the second New Zealand championships last year, so that the sport on a national basis for Maori players seems assured. Expanding further, the association ran, five years ago, the first King Country Maori Indoor Basketball Championships. Visiting teams from Ngaruawahia, Whakatane, Waiouru and Waitara made up the total of 12 teams. The two-day fixture gained in popularity until last year it was necessary to refuse entries after the total of 20 had taxed the facilities for playing to the very limit. Although run by a separate organisation, the King Country Maori golf championships continued on page 22