The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-01-17
TRUE SPORTING SPIRIT

From numbers of persons recently have been heard expressions
of regret at the tendency which they say they see in certain sports
of Maui for participants to enter for "what there is in it, perhaps
not real professionalism but a something that trends i'll that direction
This paper considers the sports of Maui as generally clean and as
steadily growing cleaner but at the same time must admit that in
certain directions there is still some evidence Of competition not for
tho moro satisfaction and tbe PRESTIGE that attaches TO victory but
from covetousnesS for prizes or trophies and financial gain Tor the
organizations which the players represent. Il also admits that sports
will not be upon the highest level until such spirit has been eGminat-
ed and that every effort should be made to stamp it out.
y Sports are valuable to the individual and to the community in
sofar as they build up bodies physically for the participants, build
and strengthen their character and furnish amusement and enter
tainment to the public in general. The answer to what 10 l get
out of it should be: "A strong and healthy body, a cleaner, quicker
sharper mentality, a stronger character, the ability to be a generous
winner and a pluckly loser All else that attaches to participation in
sports should be but minor incidents. If that is the spirit which is
manifested by the participants, the same spirit will be reflected III
the attitude of the spectators. If, on the other hand, the players are
looking at the gate receipts and counting them as the incentive that
attitude, as well, is sure to be reflected in the spectators and 1t will
be seen that the gate receipts will diminish and fall off and interest
languiSh.
Commercaising of a sport by the players while not destroying
the good physical effects that athletics exercise on participants mill
taes against the character building and the mental improvement that
are quite as important.
The Fair and Racing Association through the Athletic Commit
tee is working ever for the upift of sports that are conducted and
for the starting of new branches Of them. For that purpose funds
are required and the proceeds of each branch should go to the foster
ing of all and for the upkeep and maintenance of the place for hold
ing exhibitions of them. AS a matter of fact, it might be best if
there were a number of organizations of a kind of which the Lahaina
A. A. is a splendid example, young as it is. Each organization should
have its monthly dues, even if small, from which necessary expenses
could be met. Where suits are inexpensive players should furnish
their own as was done in the old days of baseball here, and where
a player is not financially able to do this his club might assist. For
such organizations the Athletic Committee should be the governing
body, it being itself subsidiary to the Fair and Racing Association
which furnishes the finest playground in the territory. That body
conducts the most important community social enterprise in the ter
rtory. To its support should go the net revenue of the fair, horse
racing meets, track athletics, baseball, football, basketball and tennis
and all other sports. 1t would furnish all the trophies, all the equip
ment outside of uniforms and perhaps might furnish football suits
since they are expensive. 1t could furnish equipment for early
athletics in the schools. 1t would bring sports to a high level where
the competitor looked upon medals or prizes as mere incidents, and
would work out a high ideal and "a realization OF the true sporting
spirit.
To bring this about the cooperation of each organization, its
members, each individual sportsman is essential. 1t is wanted and
tits needed on Maui at this time.