The other side of the story

Dear Editor,

I notice the issue of the Regulator demanding S.R.U and Bluesky to apologise to Digicel is due for resolution this Friday. What seems more interesting is the other side to this story which is slowly emerging.

From what I’ve been told, basically Digicel paid S.R.U nothing but still wanted to sell their products and services at Apia Park. 

S.R.U as the event coordinator told them no, they have already signed up Bluesky as a sponsor. They instead ignored S.R.U's rejection and went to S.S.F.A for permission to be at Apia Park for the All Blacks test match.

S.R.U on finding out asked Digicel to cease and remove their gear.  

Digicel refused and cited their contract with S.S.F.A.  

S.R.U had no choice but to honour their sponsorship and All Black agreements and  turned off the power to the Digicel's services installed inside Apia Park for the duration of the game.   

No other Digicel services in Samoa were affected.  

Digicel calls this "sabotage".

Personally, I say "Good on you S.R.U". Sponsors pay you and are needed to make all sports successful. People who don’t pay should get nothing and be kicked from the park.

I guess "ambush marketing" is not illegal in Samoa...but it is not right either.

The Regulator has upheld that what Digicel has done is legal and therefore anyone can do it.    

So for the Joseph Parker fight, why should a sponsor pay anything?  

Just pay S.S.F.A and turn up with your signs, billboards, products.  

Joseph Parker loses out, but that's okay.

Seriously… something is wrong when the Regulator convicts S.R.U for stopping Digicel from selling their products inside an S.R.U event at a venue S.R.U had leased. Do the right thing and withdraw your complaint. You should apologise and pay the Samoa Rugby Union.

 

R. N.M.


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