The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-01-13
FatherLand
HaibCalird
Triumph
By FRANK "BUCK" O'NED4L

by FhANh DUN ~ NEUAL
Iithuania, the. Baltic state
which on February 16, 1918, an.
nounced its independence to the
world, halls the athletic achieve
ments of the American-born sons
of the Fatherland who triumphed
for Catholic University over Ole
Miss in the Orange Bowl festival
at Miami on New Year Day.
The names of Ed "Popeye', Kar.
powich, Joe Yanchulis, Bill Ada.
mitiS, Joe Glodek, Freddie Rydew-
ski, Joe Anthonavage and Pete
Dranginis are known TO-DAY in
Kaunas and Klaipeda almost as
well as they are known, in Wash.
ington. Over there the. sport.
minded public knows that Joe
Yanchulis blocked the punt which
RydeWski ran to a winning touch
down over University Of Missis.
Sippi.
Hon. Povilas Zadeikas,, Minister
Of Lithuania, will tell America in
what high regard these youths are
held overseas at the victory ban
quet to be rendered to- the foot
ball team of Catholic University
at the Willard Hotel on February
S. Vincent L. Toomey, of the
Catholic University Alumni Asso-
citation, has invited M. Zadeikas to
attend the dinner, and barring un-
forseen circumstances, the invita-.
ton will be accepted.
Lithuania Strides Forward
Lithuania has made great prog.
reSs in sports since its assumed its
place among the independent ma.
tions of the world 18 years ago.
Under the century-long DONNA,
ton of Czarist Russia, sports we're
almost unknown.
There was the traditional gym
naSium work, dreary drudgery of
the lone, two, three, four" variety.
There was the national sport of
ripka, sort of glorified Skinny,
and the never ending military
drill.
Now all forms of sports are prac-
ticed including baseball and bas
ketball More than $4,000 boys are
enrolled in the Sports League.
While the sun flooded Washing.
ton yesterday afternoon, your re-
porter enjoyed the hospitality of
the Lithuanian Embassy. M.
ZadeikaS was not at home, but
in his place the genial MikaS Bag
donaS told the fascinating tale
of sports in the homeland, There
was warmth in his tone, q ring
of pride in his voice. and here is.
the story he told to. readers. Of
The Washington Times:
'Lithuania is marching for.
ward in sports as in. all other
ways" said Mikss BagdOnas.
The government promulgated
laws providing funds for a
sports budget. A special board
called 'SpOrtura' was created,
functiOning under the Minister
Of Public Instruction. Under
such patronage we have been
able to establish competitive
sports ON q sound basis. 3.
Throughout the land ath.
letic interest increases. AsS0cia-
tiOns have been formed and are
active. The Chamber Of Sports
fosters all forms Of competitive
athletics, starting with the juve-
niles and carrying on through
men Of college years. Some day
we hope to hold q dual meet
with the young men of Lithu.
anian parentage in America.
Does that appeal TO you" NJ.
BagdOnaS asked.
Upon being assured that it did,
he continued:
SOCCER FOOTBALL POPULAR
"The most popular sport is
soccer football. This Is played
throughout LithLania, and we
have international contests with
EStOnia, CZekOSlOvakia and other
nations. American cOlleg foot.
bali Is not played, and baseball
is just becoming popular.
track and field sports have
always been popular, and our
country expects to win its share
Of events in coming Olympic
games. Wrestling, the ancient
and scientific sport of wrestling
Is in high favor. This is not the
exhibition wrestling familiar to
American sports patrons.
Last year we held q conven.
tiOnal at KaunaS LithuanianS
Of foreign birth. Included
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