New
York, March 9 -- Sportscasters in China, curious to know about American
legends like Mel Allen, Red Barber, Harry Caray and Howard Cosell among
others, heard about them on March 6 from Louis O. Schwartz, president
of the American Sportscasters Association.
Schwartz
was invited to the "China Commentators Seminar" in Beijing by Ma Guoli,
president of CCTV Sports. The seminar, held every two years, began March
4th, and attracted sportscasters from throughout China. Schwartz addressed
the group on March 6th and discussed the operation of the American Sportscasters
Association as well as the history of sports broadcasting from 1920 to
the present.
The
association attracted attention in China seven years ago when it selected
Song Shixiong, the country's most prominent and respected sports broadcaster,
as its International Sportscaster of the Year.
"The
Chinese and Americans share a common bond that transcends all political,
social and cultural differences, the common language of sports and sports
broadcasting. Hopefully, this common understanding and appreciation of
one another will bring our two countries closer together," Schwartz said.
The
ASA, founded by Schwartz in 1980, is the largest sportscaster association
in the world. CBS Sportscaster Dick Enberg, chairs the Board of Directors.
The association is headquartered in New York City.
