Of all the regulations or policies governing players' "conduct" in all major sports, this has to be one of the most ridiculous ever.
The LPGA requires all players to pass an oral English exam, or face a suspension.
Years ago, the LPGA was dominated by players from the USA and countries like Sweden, who can speak fluent English. But with the recent emergence of Asian players, especially the South Koreans, one can often find that English is not the official language in the playing field.
Up steps the LPGA with a new mantra: Speak English or perish.
Why does speaking fluent English matter? The LPGA doesn't stand for Ladies Professional Grammar Association. It's the game of golf it should take care of, not its players' language ability. You cannot bar capable players from playing in tournaments because of it. It's simply wrong.
Imagine FIFA requiring all soccer players to be able to speak fluent English. That would probably be the only way for England, as the sole participant, to win the World Cup.
Worse still, some believe that such a policy reflects the stance of the LPGA: Those who can't speak English are not welcome. They should stay home and not take away the prize money.
It's just a bad PR move. Even Lorena Ochoa, one of its top players from Mexico, said the move is "a little drastic."
They should rescind the policy and welcome players from all over the world, whether they speak fluent English or not, with open arms.
Then again, the LPGA won't listen to me because I don't speak fluent English either.
2 comments:
I think that the LPGA's decision smacks of xenophobia.
At least the Beijing Olympics appointed an Esperanto translator and CRI broadcast daily, about the Games, in the language.
Confirmation can be seen at http://esperanto.cri.cn
The LPGA is so narrow-minded that it just doesn't see the whole picture. Trying to please the existing sponsors is understandable, but such a policy will annoy a number of potential sponsors too.
Good to know they broadcast it in Esperanto too. Great move!
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