Scandals Caused Cancellation Of London Sumo Event

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: London tour promoter says image problem, not economic crisis, behind cancellation
The tanking world economy can be blamed for many things, but not the cancellation of sumo's 2009 tour to London...In confirming the cancellation of the five-day event on Dec. 20, JSA director Kokonoe told reporters the strength of the yen against the pound and the failure to find sponsors had scuppered plans to host the cream of the sumo world at the Royal Albert Hall in October. Not so, according to Raymond Gubbay, who said international news coverage of sumo's scandals led the main sponsor to demand the association guarantee to put its house in order..."A very big corporation was fully committed to doing this, but was shocked by the scandals that were emerging," said Gubbay..."From the other side [the JSA] there was no acknowledgment at all--it was this whole business of putting your head down and pretending it's not happening. But these were scandals that were being reported in the international press, in the London newspapers, around the world, So it wasn't something that they could in any shape or form pretend wasn't happening." Gubbay described the economic excuses for the cancellation as a cover story...Asked who he thought was responsible for the failure of the event, Gubbay cited NHK, which acted as a middleman in negotiations and had tried to leave the British promoters holding the baby. "NHK was invited to help with this situation [the guarantee requested by the sponsor] but wouldn't take any of the responsibility. They wanted to leave the total responsibility with the promoters...it is a risk no producer could run," he said, adding that "it would appear NHK concocted this story about the economic situation, which is simply not true"...Gubbay said his experience with the JSA--which he called "the worst situation I have every come across"--would likely prevent future tours to Britain...more...

[Sentakki Fried Chicken]

I blame sumo's decline on the Olympic Movement. Ever since the Olympics got tough on doping, all those eastern Europeans who would have become women's shotputters, discuss throwers (or swimmers, perhaps?) moved to the only "sport" open to them.