[sumo] Asashoryu and Soccer

[Barbara Ann]

Let's remember, too, that he IS the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for 
Mongolia, appointed in November 2003. UNICEF’s ambassadors are 
usually celebrities who have a wide range of talents and 
achievements, but they all share a commitment to improving the 
lives of children worldwide. And in each case a celebrity’s 
association with UNICEF comes about because he or she has already 
demonstrated that commitment.

Sumobaba



On Tue Jul 31 10:32:03 PDT 2007, Scott Kahn <smk1 at columbia.edu> 
wrote:

> Hi Phil,
> 
> In the larger scheme of things, I don't see what he did as wrong. 
>  He participated in a youth soccer game between Mongolia and 
> Japan as an ambassador at the request of his government.  His 
> injuries did not preclude him from participating, whereas they 
> are serious enough to keep him from the upcoming Jungyo.
> 
> I get the impression that his oyakata was the person who should 
> have properly advised Asashoryu on this matter.  Perhaps there is 
> an internal power struggle between Asashoryu and the Kyokai, and 
> this seemingly insignificant incident is being blown way out of 
> proportion.  The Kyokai should have information about the extent 
> of Asashoryu's injury.  Without inside information, I think this 
> really comes down to the Kyokai being embarassed at the reaction 
> of the Jungyo sponsors (money) and wanting to save face.  I find 
> it hard to believe that the Kyokai doesn't know Asashoryu's 
> schedule in advance.  Anybody???
> 
> I still personally think that this was the wrong issue for the 
> Kyokai to get worked up over in public, it sends out xenophobic 
> messages.  They should have sat down in private with Asashoryu's 
> oyakata, the sponsors, and their representatives and negotiated a 
> solution.  I'm sure that happens quite often, and thus the reason 
> for this public display must run deeper than what appears on the 
> surface, I'm guessing.
> 
> Sukubidubidu
> 
> 
> 
> Philip Sherman wrote:
> 
>> Scott,
>> right again. I am very happy to see action taken on this 
>> incident. As I mentioned before, Asa is my favorite rikishi for 
>> this time period, but he was wrong for what he did and it was 
>> followed up on, which is the important thing as far as I am 
>> concerned.
>> 
>> PHIL
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Keri Sibley
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:22 AM
>> To: Sumo Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [sumo] Asashoryu and Soccer
>> 
>> Well to begin with...there would have been no demand
>> for a Japanese Yokozuna to play soccer (aka football)
>> in Mongolia ;) However, we have not seen the same
>> types of behaviours from Hakuho, Musashimaru or
>> Akebono in the past. I'm not trying to dis the Grand
>> Champion on merit, but his morality leaves some to
>> question the things he does on occasion. I do think
>> that it was positive for him to go and apologize for
>> his behaviour. Maybe they'll just fine him and be done
>> with it.
>> 
>> Hinerikeri
>> 
>> 
>> --- Scott Kahn <smk1 at columbia.edu> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>> Thank you, Barbara and Emmett.  I guess this pretty
>>> well sums up the Kyokai's position with regard to the outside 
>>> world's
>>> demands on its Yokozuna. Unfortunately, this opens up a 
>>> xenophobic kettle of
>>> worms, would such reproachment occur if Asashoryu was Japanese, 
>>> and
>>> asked to attend by the Japanese government?
>>> 
>>> Sukubidubidu
>>> (hoping one day for a progressive wing of the Kyokai
>>> to take charge)
>>> 
>>> Barbara Ann wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> The Daily Yomiuri also had something:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20070731TDY22005.htm
>>> 
>>>> Asashoryu returns, apologizes
>>>> The Yomiuri Shimbun
>>>> 
>>>> "Takasago explained that Asashoryu was requested to
>>>> 
>>> appear in the
>>>> friendly soccer match by the Mongolian government.
>>>> 
>>>> "He said the government asked him, but even so,
>>>> 
>>> what he did is
>>>> unacceptable," Takasago said."
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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