Empire Games And Phrasing Of Oath

Chronicle (Levin), 16 June 1949, Page 9

Empire Games And Phrasing Of Oath

ATJGKXiAND, June 14. ■ The question, of whether or not the words ' ' for the honour of our .Empire and the glory of sport," which are normally included in the oath of amatenrism taken at the opening cereinony of the British Empire Games, should be amended because of reeent politieaJ developments, to "for the honour of our Commonwealth an'd Empire and the glory of sport," at the Games in Auckland next Eebruary, is now being dis eussed with the Indian Olympie Assoeiation by the Seeretary of the couneii for England, Mr K.- S. Duncan, oi' London. The oath recited at the opbning peremony of the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney state^ that "We deelare that we will take part in the British Empire Games in a spirit of true sportsmanship, recognising the rules whieh govern them and desirous of par tieipating in them for the honour of our Empire and the glory of sport." Following. the reeent conference of Prime Ministers in London, the organising committee of the Auckland Games eommunicated the suggestion to -Mr Duncan that the word Commonwealth should be included in the oath. At a meeting of the committee to-night, Mr Dunean notified that he had suggested to Mr S, R. Moinul Haq, seeretary of .the Indian Olympie Assoeiation of Patna, that the old oath be used. In his note to Mr. Haq, Mr. Dunean said: "It is perhaps a little difiicult to find • the right test for all countries in these days of ehange bnt I hope that India, whieh has aeeepted an invitation to the British Empire Games in 1950, will agree to this oath sinee I am sure you will concur that sport rises above al! politics and does iuueh to.enable the constituent peoples of the Commonwealth to meet together and to understand each other 's point of view. If, however, you wish a ehange in the normal oath, 1 would suggest that it coald fmish ' for', the honour of our Commonwealth and Empire and the glory of sport.' " The Australian team at the British Empire Games in Auckland next Feb ruary will consist of between 110 and. 130 males and 30 to 40 women competitors.