From: hybl@umbc4.umbc.edu (Dr. Albert Hybl (UMAB-BIOPHYS))
Subject: Re: SOKOL
Organization: Univ. of MD, Baltimore County
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 20:48:28 GMT

In message: <1992Nov11.023636.1723@colorado.edu> from
klapka@vette.colorado.edu, Igor Klapka asked:
>I'm from Belgium, but my father is from Czechoslovakia.
>He was an active member of the Sokol group, 40 years ago (Especially
>Gymnastic and Volley ball). 
>He wants to know what's hapen today with that group.
>Is it still the same ? Does it kept the same spirit ?

The following is copied from the American SOKOL newsletter Volume CXIII
Number 9 dated October 1992 from page 8.

==================

Bro. Vladislav Slavik, Sokol New York, is identified as the Guest
Speaker and the author of an article titles "Report on the
Czechoslovak Sokol Union."

This report on the Czechoslovak Sokol Union is rather a brief one.
Actually, I am guided by an article I wrote for the American Sokol in
April, although the statistics are updated.  Those who took part in
the Toronto Slet did witness a fine example of Czechoslovak level
of calisthenics.  That performance speaks better than any words.

Czechoslovak Sokol reports that there are 754 Units, regionally
organized into 47 Districts.  42 Districts are fully functioning.
Similarly, approximately 550 Units report regular Sokol activity,
be it what's being called the basic gymnastics or sports.  As
compared with the pre-Communist years, COS doesn't require all active
members to participate in mass calisthenics.  Of those 550 Units,
there are approximately 100 Units with only sport activities.  All
the other remaining Units run a wide scope of Sokol functions, from
hiking and chess playing to top flight basketball or skiing.  Basic
physical fitness or Tyrs' gymnastics as we know it is a very important
part of every unit, but is not the only activity and it is not
compulsory.

Although there are some improvements, there is a shortage of skilled
instructors.  Some instructors working in the formerly State Physical
Fitness Union are biding their time, quite often waiting for better
pay.  Most instructors, with the exception of older Sokols, are paid.
The sport clubs pay, therefore Sokol has no alternative.  The State
does contribute about one-third of all sport and gym expenses, but
only active Units get their share of money.  Some 200 to 250 Units
still don't own their Sokol halls, therefore there is no money coming
to them.  Or, some Units finally did get their ravaged Sokol halls,
but have no money to put them in working order.  The leadership is
taking some money from the active Units and gives it to the inactive
ones to help them get started.  However, it amounts to so little
that it doesn't help much.  Then there is the problem of membership
in the old Communist Party.  Yes, Sokol in Czechoslovakia is beset
by problems, but the leadership and the Districts and Units are
dealing with them and gradually will eliminate most of them.

We can even say that the COS made quite a progress in the last
two years.  An organization taken for dead long ago can pride
itself with 180,000 members.  Units in cities and traditionally
strong Sokol towns actually thrive.  It is the countryside that's
limping far behind.  COS has held three instructors' courses so
far, with over 200 graduates.  The corps of instructors is growing;
the technical leadership is excellent.  That's why the COS is 
confidently looking toward 1994 when it will hold its XII All
Sokol Slet in Prague.  Though there is no way that Sokol can match
the Slets of 1938 or 1948, it nonetheless will be a grand affair.
The Slet and sport and gymnastic meets are planned to take as least
one week.  Additionally, there will be many cultural and social
events that will lure in thousands of tourists.

I would like to conclude with an appeal to the entire ASO that as
in the pre-Communist era, we cooperate with COS as closely as
possible.  Once the COS overcomes its obstacles, it will help us
with instructors, technical and other material that we need so
urgently.  It is in our interest to help COS to grow for we'll
harvest much more than we have sown.

======================= End of the article

American Sokol (ISSN: 0003-1259) is published Monthly
(except Bi-Monthly July/August) by the
AMERICAN SOKOL ORGANIZATION, 6424 West Cermak Road, Berwyn,
IL 60402-2386.  Telephone: (708) 795-6671
Subscription: $4.00 per Year [This is probably only the USA rate.]
Newsgroups: soc.culture.czecho-slovak