Education Ministry punishes

[Kintamayama 45,086]

The Education, Sports etc.. Ministry, which is directly in charge of the Kyokai and funds it, has summoned the special committee it appointed to look into all aspects of the Kyokai after the seemingly never-ending series of scandals that have rocked the Sumo world (not the magazine). Chairman and ex- Hanshin Tigers owner Masaru Etekou: "After serious deliberation (nearly two years) and having listened to over 100 witnesses, we have reached the conclusion that the Kyokai and its leaders, with their total lack of leadership and constant cover-ups, have tainted our national sport. OTOH, we do not wish to cause the sport any more damages, so we will not punish any of them personally at this point. The solution is to hurt them financially. We have decided that next basho (Tokyo) days 3, 7, 11, and 13 will be held with no spectators. Our conclusion is that this is in no way a fatal blow, yet it does send a message that incompetence has a price!", he said firmly.

As it is still early in the morning, no official comment has been made by the Kyokai.

This is astounding news, but the Kyokai can still appeal it in a civil court.

Edit: Kokonoe Oyakata: "We have yet to receive any formal document but when we do, we will convene an emergency meeting of the rijikai and discuss this."

Young Oyakata, wishing to remain anonymous: "Some of us knew this was coming, but why hurt the fans?? I don't see how this kind of punishment will, for example, improve the rikishis' tachi-ai.."

Edited March 31, 2010 by Kintamayama

[Kuroyama 715]

Zounds!

[kappa-joe 0]

What exquisite logic: Punish the Kyokai by spanking the fans...

(On the banzuke...)

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a while. Inconceivable! Just what are they hoping to accomplish? If they want to punish them financially, just fine them!

[Kintamayama 45,086]

This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a while. Inconceivable! Just what are they hoping to accomplish? If they want to punish them financially, just fine them!

And that would be fine??

[Randomitsuki 2,826]

What an atrocity! These fools must have gone nuts! This really sounds like a bad joke!

[Kintamayama 45,086]

The anonymous Oyakatas?:

[Gaijingai 1,576]

COme on, everyone! Look at the calendar! April Fools!

Gaijingai

[Asashosakari 19,308]

Subtlety is a dying art, as this committee decision (among other things) shows...

[kappa-joe 0]

What exquisite logic: Punish the Kyokai by spanking the fans...

(On the banzuke...)

...oook.... so I's the fool getting spanked... (Blinking...)

[Fukurou 534]

COme on, everyone! Look at the calendar! April Fools!

Not for another 3 hours yet where I live (On the banzuke...)

OTOH, that was so ridiculous that it isn't that big of a stretch to think it's true.

(it's hard to do April Fool stuff well in a very international forum)

Edited April 1, 2010 by Fukurou

[Treblemaker 254]

As always, when in doubt, inspect the source.

And check the date. (Hook, line, sinker, rod, boat, rudder, everything....)

And congrats to Kinta for the best set-up I've seen today. Never turn your back on this man. Or wear wedgie-proof clothing.

(And as I write this, it's still March 31st, 9:15 p.m. I'm just getting started over here....)

[Kuroyama 715]

Sheesh. If you twig to a joke like this you're supposed to play along, not give it away!

[Washuyama 641]

We have decided that next basho (Tokyo) days 3, 7, 11, and 13 will be held with no spectators.

..and those days are prime to have some good bouts! ;-)

[kappa-joe 0]

Sheesh. If you twig to a joke like this you're supposed to play along, not give it away!

Today we are all twigs.

[Fay 1,677]

My breath caught this morning at 5. I was happy that my cosmetician sold me this expensive oxygen-enriched vanishing cream!

[ilovesumo 12]

So was it a joke or not? To me the topic was started "yesterday", would be the 31st... ;-)

Edit: Nothing in the Japanese press. Got me.

Had some ににくyesterday, best punishment would be a キス. (Yucky...)

Edited April 1, 2010 by ilovesumo

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

Well played, Mr. D. Let me buy you a cigar if we ever meet.

[Andreas 0]

In my timezone, the first post was at april first, 0:10... seems somebody just couldnt wait. Punishments like this were discussed in soccer here recently (because of fan violence, soccer matches had to be held without audience).

[Kintamayama 45,086]

I'm glad everyone is in agreement that this was an April fool's joke. And vice versa.

[Asashosakari 19,308]

And all this time yet another...ah, never mind.

[Kintamayama 45,086]

And all this time yet another...ah, never mind.

Indeed- Another two.

[Jakusotsu 5,960]

Indeed- Another two.

You almost got me with the least suspicous one. I even started replying ;-)

[Asashosakari 19,308]

Indeed- Another two.

You almost got me with the least suspicous one. I even started replying ;-)

If that's the one that currently has no replies posted, I'll admit it got me as well...thankfully the other ones were there a minute later to remind me of the date. (Yucky...)

Edited April 1, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Asojima 2,874]

Interesting that no one has caught on to the third one yet. ;-)