Is Pigeon Racing A Sport?

[Castleview]

Did anyone see the article in the Racing Pigeon (15th Feb 08). When I read it and saw how the officials refuse to see it as a sport I was in uproar. For as long as I remember it has always been a sport, but because the owner of the loft isn't actually getting 'fit' from it they say it's not a sport. Well I sent a letter to be published in the Racing Pigeon (22nd Feb 08) and here's what I said:-

 

Sir - I read the article in last weeks Racing Pigeon 'Is Pigeon Racing A Sport' and totally agreed with author Brian Newson. I would like to ask the people who think Racing Pigeons is not a sport to see it from another angle. For those who think that it is not a sport I refer you to 'Football', which is a regonized sport and one of the biggest in the world. Imagine the city of Manchester as the home loft. You have two teams. Manchester United and Manchester City. In order to get those teams up to competitive they must be trained everyday and eat a well balanced diet in order to bring them into top physical fitness so they can compete against other teams in other cities and towns, but who trains them? A Manager! Each team of pigeons is trained by a manager, he's the one who owns the loft, who must select his team accordingly as football managers do. If a player doesn't fit in with the game then he must be dropped and eventually everyone of your team will be in top athletic form. If you compare both Football and Pigeon Racing together you have roughly the same thing. Footballers need to be in top form to play for 90 minutes on a pitch. For a pigeon to fly 600 miles he needs daily exercise and club races, which is the same as football teams playing at home or away. I do not intend to upset football fans or players, I just wanted to give the people who are fighting to get it a recognized sport some edge.

 

In my theory football and pigeons are similar. Alex Ferguson is the manager of Man United. I will be the manager of my team of pigeons. Both play at home and play away.

 

Perhaps we can use this against the government! How many politicians are football fans? Far more than pigeon fanciers. All you gotta do is change the field of play. What if Pigeon Racing was the big sport as football is, and football was trying to be recognized as a sport? No harm in trying, eh

 

[Merlin]

in total agreement regarding it being a sport, but when you read of a fancier refused membership to five clubs in his area,apparently because he is at the top of his game,and is capable most race days of flying an outstanding pigeon,you have got to ask,do we really deserve to be called a sport,a footballing parlance being,the players of Man U telling Rooney, cant let you play,you are too good,and sadly this is not an isolated case.  

[Geraint Parry]

True Merlin, but these idiot clubs should be clamped down on by the Unions which they fall under. This should not happen. But it does and is a complete disgrace. I have a online petition going on the Governments website at present. I have also been intouch with local Mp's , who to be fair to them, have responded to my e-mails and have given me advice on this matter. Only this morning did I have another letter back

 

''....it is the responsibility of the Sports Councils to decide which activities should be eligible for support from lottery and Exchequer funding, to ensure the most effective and efficient use of their resources.

The sports councils have adopted a system of formal ''recognition'' of activities and organisations with which they wish to be involved. The critiria that the sports councils use to decide whether an activity should be recognised is derived from their Royal Charter, and ultimately from the Physical Training and Recreation Act 1937.

Decisions on whether particular activities and pastimes should be recognised as sports for official and funding purposes are made by unanimous agreement between the home country sports councils.

In the first instance, I would recommend a submission to the relevant sports council, outlining the case for pigeon racing. The sports council will be able to provide information on the criteria for recognition of an activity as a sport.''

 

 

He then goes onto state where I can obatin application forms and addresses etc.

 

Worth ago??? Who knows.