[English] THE FAR EASTERN OLYMPIC GAMES. DETAILS OF MEETING TO BE HELD IN MAY.

THE FAR EASTERN OLYMPIC GAMES.

DETAILS OF MEETING TO BE HELD IN MAY.

A WONDERFUL GATHERING OF ATHLETES.

The forthcoming Far Eastern Championship games, says the N. C. Daily News, promise to be on a much more extensive scale even than was at first anticipated. They are to be held at the Hongkew Park, Shanghai, from Saturday, May 15th, to May 22nd and the arrangements are being pushed forward as rapidly as possible.

Even at this stage, it is possible to form a good idea of the manner in which the various events will be competed for, and everything points to a most successful and profitable meeting. The tracks are in course of construction, and among the principal will be the quarter-mile cinder track, which is being built according to the most modern plan. It will measure 12 ft. from the inside curve, with a bank of 2 ft. on the outside, thus enabling the competitors in the running and cycling events to get all the speed of which they are capable.

The baseball events will doubtless be amongst the most popular features of the programme. The American Baseball Association are behind this branch, and a number of prominent players from different parts of the world are expected to be present.

In addition to a baseball team, Japan is sending four of its best lawn tennis players, including Kumagae, the national champion. This will be his first visit to China, and although he has always played on hard courts, it is expected that plenty of practice before the tennis events will overcome any little handicap which might arise through the change from hard to grass courts. Osaka is sending two long distance running men, and also their best athletes to compete in the Marathon and the mile race. Swimmers will come from Nagasaki.

FROM ALL OVER CHINA.

A very pleasing feature of the gathering is the immense interest shown by the Chinese youths. North China will supply a great many sprinters and jumpers, men at the weights, and also a basketball team. South China is sending swimmers, a volley-ball team, cyclists and a number of runners, but it has not yet been decided who will supply the football teams. A general opinion prevails that the best men are in Hongkong, but the recent success of the Nanyang team in winning the local city Championship puts them also in the running. There will, therefore, be a test match between North China, the best that can be obtained in Shanghai, and South China, and the best of these three teams will be chosen to represent China in the open football games. It is the idea of the committee to get the best representative team available.

Dr. Edward Kau, of St. Luke's Hospital, is captain of the baseball team, who will play in the Far Eastern series, but will withdraw in favour of the Honolulu team, who will represent China in the open series. This series will attract teams representative of China, Japan, the Philippine Islands, an all-American navy team and a Shanghai team. From the Philippines upwards of seventy-five competitors will attend the Shanghai meeting. They are due to arrive on a special steamer, and the men will enter for all the team games, as well as the track and field sports and swimming. Their baseball team has, we understand, been selected with great care, and as they beat Japan so easily in February they are confident of winning the Championship of the East.

BASEBALL GIRLS

One feature of baseball that will please the baseball public in Shanghai is the fact that two teams of girls, about 14 and 15 years of age are coming from the Philippines and will give exhibitions of the indoor baseball game. The game is one that is played in all the schools in the Philippine Islands and the girls have such unusual abilities that Dr. Wu Ting-fang, President of the Far Eastern Committee, when he was in Manila, asked the Director of Education to permit the girls to come to Shanghai and demonstrate this healthy sport, and it is hoped that their presence will serve as a great lesson to the young women of China.

In addition to the Filipino competitors, the Columbia Athletic Club, attached to Bishop Brent's church, is sending a team of five swimmers, the backbone of which is W. W. Harris, a man who has never yet been beaten in the East. They hope to have a game with the local swimming club in an interport match, and later in the week to take part in the open international swimming events. With regard to the venue of the swimming events, we understand that arrangements are being made to utilize the large pond in Hongkew Park. In many places the water is 7 ft. deep, and with a little dredging it is thought the necessary space will be procured.

BOY SCOUT COMPETITIONS.

Probably one of the most interesting days will be Wednesday, May 19th. On that day a big Boy Scout rally will take place, when over 250 Chinese Boy Scouts will be present to take part in the programme. All the foreign Boy Scouts will be invited as guests but not as competitors.

Source:

1. Page 5, "Hong Kong Daily Press", Wednesday, 31st March, 4th Year of the Republic of China

   • 16th Day, 2nd Lunar Month, Yi-mao Year

   • Wednesday, 31st March, 1915 Common Era