The Lusophonia Games
It is not for the lack of world class facilities, dedicated athletes and capital expenditures that have sunk the SS Lusofonia in Macau. It seems to be apathy about seeing who will prevail in the first (and maybe last) competition for players from Portuguese speaking countries: I noticed Angola, Brazil, Timor, Mozambique, Macau, Portugal and a few others. I acounted 12 flags, half of which were new to me….
Now I know how Bush must have felt prior to his election.
I went to the Taekwondo finals where there were more competitors than spectators (even the parents headed for the casinos), but was not deterred. I figured that Ping Pong, being a Chinese blood sport, would draw a better crowd, so I headed over to the mixed doubles finals. I was oddly encouraged by the sight of two ambulances and a fire truck: Was there the possibility of stampedes for autographs or perhaps a ball or two hit with enough backspin that they might burst into flame?
The men’s semi-finals were in full swing when I arrived.
One of the world class bad boys did a Brandy Chastain and took off his shirt after a close game with a Portuguese team member.
Whew, these guys must pump iron one or two times a month! The crowd went wild as he went on to beat his opponent…
I guess now I understand why the PR director never returned my calls or emails about a press pass. He had way too much to do…
by Lonnie Hodge
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Welcome back on track, Lonnie! Do you know what your students say about the Ping Pong player Jan Ove Waldner from Sweden? He is said to be big in China…
They are mad for badminton and Ping Pong…I will ask after the holiday break and let you know…
Snooker, hurdling and baketball, for obvious reasons, are also becoming enormous…
Glad to BE back…
[…] I figured that Ping Pong, being a Chinese blood sport, would draw a better crowd, so I headed over to the mixed doubles finals. I was oddly encouraged by the sight of two ambulances and a fire truck: Was there the possibility of … – More – […]