Sumo wrestling loses third sponsor 30/06/2010 |
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Japanese sumo wrestling has lost its third tournament sponsor over the betting scandal that is engulfing the sport.
Foodmaker Natori will not sponsor the Nagoya tournament, scheduled to begin on July 11, spokesman Yasuo Suzuki said today (June 30). It follows similar decisions by Nagatanien, the sport’s biggest sponsor, and Asahi Mutual Life Insurance.
Japan’s sumo association this week suspended Chairman Musashigawa and 13 wrestlers after some members admitted to illegal gambling on baseball matches.
“The association is paying for its failure to take adequate measures to address various incidents in the past,” sports minister Tatsuo Kawabata said. “The fate of sumo, with a long history, hinges on efforts by the association from now on.”
As part of its sponsorship, Natori provided kimonos for tournament staff with its logo on the back.
The Tokyo-based company made its decision to withdraw from the Nagoya tournament after the sumo association suspended the wrestlers.
“It wasn’t a matter of whether the punishment of the wrestlers was enough or not, it was a matter of the public’s view towards the whole incident,” Suzuki added.
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