Hard to create interest in sumo wrestling

IT is difficult to make sumo an international sport, said Mr Kazuo Sugino, secretary-general of the Japanese Association of Singapore.

That is because it is steeped in Japanese culture and tradition, which do not connect with most foreigners.

There is also the culture shock over the costume. "Sometimes when they go overseas and perform, some people ask them to wear pants," he said.

He said that as far as he knows, there are no sumo groups or federations in Singapore. The Singapore Sports Council also said the same thing.

Even in Malaysia the sport hasn't really caught on. The Malaysia Sumo Association was set up in 1992.

Said its president, Mr Toh Kek Keong, 63: "It's very hard to promote. The costume you wear looks like nappies, people don't like it."

The association has about 60 members, mostly in Johor and Sabah, and some in Klang.

This article was first published in The New Paper.