LovroKlc wrote:RobertJasiek wrote:Most strong Europeans I recall spend extraordinarily much free time for teaching, organization etc.
And to put aside that much time it is very hard to have a regular job. So earning money on go is their only way to continue promoting it without dying of famine. And, if they don't win money on tournaments, it is very hard to earn enough...
A lot of weak Europeans, who never dream of winning tournaments and earning price money, spend an extraordinary amount of time on Go promotion as well. Who organises all those tournaments, manage the affairs of local clubs, even attract some sponsorship? Usually it is the local 1 dan or 4 kyu or 10 kyu guy or gal. I mean, Robert, look around in Berlin, who organises the clubs and tournaments, who teaches most, who does the best work in reaching out to newcomers there?
In the end it boils down to sociology/economy: You can't sustain a professional circuit in too small a population. Lamenting about that won't change the facts. Either organise outside sponsorship or expand that population, though even if successful it won't be our generation of players to benefit from the effort, but those 6 y.o. that start learning today or tomorrow. Stop dreaming.
Addition: I find it really disingenious to claim the resident professionals and ex-insei are not teaching/promoting or only doing so temporarily before going back to Asia. Many of them definitely settled in Europe, incl. families, while others may not do so but still are basically teaching full time while in Europe thanks to Korean sponsorship for European Go.
. I'd therefore expect it to be possible for someone else to spend that sort of time on pure go and yet likewise have a regular job, and eventually to be able to compete with Oriental professionals.
