Examination of Witnesses (Questions 280
- 281)
WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2005
Mr Roger Mosey and Mr Dominic Coles
Q280 Baroness Howe of Idlicote:
Taking your answer to my question about minority sport, I thought
there was a degree of evasion about the answers. Am I right in
thinking that what you define as a sport is what becomes a sport
and it may be based on growth in something or because you are
hearing it is likely to be popular. Your answer gave me the impression
that you were not prepared to say that any one form of sedentary
sport enjoyed increasingly by a number of people was or was not
sport.
Mr Mosey: I am sorry if I gave that impression.
We have some difficulties with the term "minority sports"
anyway in that technically every sport is watched by a minority
in the UK so therefore anything, apart obviously from the World
Cup final, is a minority sport. I recognise chess is a particular
anomaly but the important thing is that the BBC supports and is
committed to a wide range of activities which would include chess.
Q281 Baroness Howe of Idlicote:
But not bridge?
Mr Coles: I am actively discussing with our
Russian colleagues setting up a chess league between the UK and
Russia which we would then broadcast, if not on our terrestrial
channels, at least on our interactive and broadband. Our Russian
partners are very keen on exploring this.
Baroness Howe of Idlicote: If chess,
why not bridge?
Lord Peston: Bridge is not a sport.
Chairman: Thank you very much for coming.
It was a very interesting and valuable first session on sport.
Perhaps we could come back to you if we have further questions.
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