An opportunity missed

LAST weekend saw the Balearic cricket championships which took place in Magalluf. The organisers should be congratulated for a first class event which clearly showed that the sport is alive and well in the Balearics. We have three teams here who survive thanks to the hard work and dedication of all their members. But I don't understand why the local authorities didn't make more of this event.

Chess tournaments get great publicity and backing along with plenty of other marginal sports so why wasn't the cricket given greater local authority promotion? We all might have our views about cricket but it does have its small army of followers around the world. It is a very British or even English sport but so are the majority of tourists and residents in the Calvia area. I am told that there was a great atmosphere around the club and if the organisers had been given a greater helping hand I am sure that the championships could have been an even greater success. I am sure that most tourists would be amazed to discover that there are three teams in the Balearics bringing together people from all walks of life, from nightclub promoters to a vicar, and of all nationalities. For the local authorities it's just another opportunity lost. The championships could have formed part of the Europe Day celebrations which the Calvia council is organising at the moment.

What better proof that Europe works than when you get a group of people, all happily residing in another country, continuing to play their sport which they are more than happy to promote. That's Europe at work. And on a final note congratulations to all the teams who took part and all the best to Mallorca for retaining their title. The Cup stays here, so Ibiza and Minorca will just have to try a bit harder next year!