Sponsor walks away from sumo wrestling over betting scandal 22/06/2010 |
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Japan’s sumo wrestlers have lost their biggest sponsor over an illegal gambling scandal.
Nagatanien Co. decided to cancel its 12 million yen ($130,000) sponsorship of the Nagoya tournament, scheduled to begin July 11, after wrestlers admitted to gambling on baseball matches, mahjong and card games.
“We take this case seriously as it has a big social impact,” the Tokyo-based company said in a statement. “We hope this traditional national sport will become clean.”
The reputation of the ancient sport has been damaged in recent years after allegations of assault and drug use by wrestlers. Bloomberg reports that Fuji Xerox Co., Japan’s biggest maker of colour copiers, and confectionary maker Morinaga & Co. may also review their association with the sport after the latest crisis.
About 65 sumo association members and wrestlers have admitted to illegal gambling, Japanese media have reported.
The association will decide whether to proceed with the Nagoya tournament on July 4 after considering the findings of a panel it has commissioned to investigate the gambling problem, chairman Musashigawa said. The association declined to comment about Nagatanien withdrawing its sponsorship.
Sports minister Tatsuo Kawabata said he was concerned about links between the sport and organised crime after media reports stablemasters gave front-row tournament tickets to gangsters.
“We will take this opportunity to do a major cleanout,” Kawabata told reporters in Tokyo. “We have to create an environment where a wrestler can do his best, and fans can cheer without any concerns.”
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