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Soccer Urged As AidTo Foreign FriendshipBy BURTON BENJAMINNEW YORK, May 29—(NEA—If sports are to have a role in the promotion of Pan-American goodfeilowship, U. S. athletic brass hats had better forget track and field, American football, baseball, tennis and golf and concentrate on socfcer.This oldest form of football and most universal combative sport in he world is the national game in Mexico, South and Central Amer-ca.It is estimated that 2,500 professionals and 35.000 amateurs play soccer in this country*- Five timesas many compete in Mexico alone. Soccer replaced bull-fighting as the national pastime south of the Rio Grande.These . facts are emphasized as Mexico's national champions. Club Atlante of Mexico City, make an eight-game tour of this country.Nineteen strong, the southern neighbors were booked in St. Louis, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Jersey City after opening in New York.Stars Are Valuable For an idea of the preeminence and scope of Mexican soccer^ here are some pertinent facts* on the guests.Eleven players are valued at 1500.000 pesos (approximately $300,000). . •Three international stars—Fernando Garcia, center half back; Martin Ventroia. outside right; and Leonardo Munloch. outside left — were bought by Club Atlante for more than $100,QOQ. . , . ,Garcia, a 28-year-old wizard, is rated the greatest center half in the world. He started with F. C. Barcelona in Spain. Two years ago Club Atlante sold his'release to the Velez Sarsfield Club of Argentina for $55,000, but bought him back last winter. His • salary is $800 per month. .Munloch also played with F. C. Barcelona, was a South American phenomenon with F. C. Naciona! of Montevideo. Club Atlante paid $35,000 for him. . ..Ventroia, a unanimous choiceClub Atlante’s stadium seats 58.000. Other Mexico City bowls are the Asturies (45,000) and the Espana (30,000). Crowds average30.000:Double-headers are played with the first game starting at 10 a. m., the second at noon. As in Spain, bull-fighting is now held in theafternoon, so as not to conflict.The eight teams comprising the League of Mayors play the best soccer in Mexico. All professionals. they-, compete- throughout the year. Teams are divided by boroughs or districts, but, unlike American baseball, the unit is a club, not a privately owned enterprise.Short Pam EmphasizedThe sport enjoys wide prestige.Jose Manuel ?Nunez, chief of police -Th Mexico City, is president of Club Atlante. President Avila Camacho seldom misses a game. Former President Cardenas is a rabid spectator. Two of the leading clubs—Necaxa and America— are headed by cabinet ministers.*Mexicans emphasize short passing combinations. They keep the ball on the ground, develop teamwork. Americans play the game much like football, with a forceful kicking and rushing style.In 1940, Club Atlante played six games in- this country, won four and tied two.Soccer '-officials maintain the Good Neighbor sports policy has been a one-sided affair. We have promoted and played American games, in which we naturally excel. . The results have been more in the nature of exhibitions than competition.'How much wiser, they point out. for us to develop a game which• tn thit onnfh alrMflv TllSV AS
Newspaper Details
Arizona Independent Republic
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Sat, May 30, 1942
Page 39
Full Page
Clipped by
California S.
CA, DZ 16 Aug 2018
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