XVIII Commonwealth Games Mardo Gray: 15th March 2006

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XVIII Commonwealth Games
Mardo Gray's view of the Games
15th March 2006

Let the games begin.

In a few hours time I will be watching the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on the T.V. I expect I shall enjoy the spectacle for a very simple reason: I like the Commonwealth Games.

Every 4 years I hear the usual arguments that the former British Empire games, as the competition was once known, is anachronistic, a relic from a bygone age, irrelevant and most damaging, a second class event.

Now the naysayers proclaim the Olympics, which has the best athletes from everywhere in pretty much every event, as the ultimate in sporting occasion.

Well this may be true, for the completely global sports such as soccer. But for a game such as Lawn Bowls or Netball, the Olympic games are a forbidden county. What do Russia, China and The USA care about Cricket or Rugby?

This is the key to the matter. Despite the wealth not being common, we in the games, all have something in common. The use of English, and once being connected to an empire upon which the sun never set. And if we want to get together and have fun, why not?

The economic rationalists may say that the games are not cost efficient. I say, "Stuff it!". Local councils in Victoria have adopted participating countries to support. Box Hill council, upon hearing that their adopted nation, Sierra Leone, could not afford uniforms, equipment etc, promptly set about raising $25,000 for the team so they could compete on more equal terms with their richer cousins. The value of this spirit can not be marked down on any accountant's ledger!

In Church we call it fellowship, in business, networking, but the games are about friendship. We get together, to maintain and create friendships among what was once a family under the British, and is now, like a family, growing up and spreading out.

Even if the advertising revenue does not cover costs, and not everyone gets to watch their favourite team win, won't the times we shared together, and the understanding we have gained, be worth much, much more?

Mardo Gray's View of the Games:
15th Mch   16th Mch   17th Mch   18th Mch   19th Mch   20th Mch   21st Mch   23rd Mch   24th Mch   25th Mch   26th Mch  

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