That's actually a really interesting question. What do they want from him now? Surely whatever sector he goes into now he will still be the same guy bringing shame or whatever. So it's not cool for him to be a badminton player anymore but he can go on and be a banker or international businessman or set up multinational company where's the logic?
yup. that's the problem that he'd face. a lot of retired elite/pro players end up being coaches. but would you trust someone who took his junior to illegal gambling and got themselves banned and shamed? still no way out for him.
I agree. I also think you guys need to consider that this isn't just badminton - every major sport does this. Look at football. Lots of players who break their national laws never get to see the pitch as a pro again. You cannot put sports stars on a pedestal above the law. They should not have the glamorous life style if they cannot live inside of the law. As I've said before, Tago hasn't been active in world badminton for a while now. I think he squandered his talent, and failed to appreciate what he had, instead blowing it on illegal activities. I think his ban and removal is fair and justified for his repeated offenses against his country and its laws. If they took a lenient stand, then what does Japan stand for in world badminton? A country that will do anything to win? Pardon bad behaviour and illegal activity to have a leg up? That shows compromised integrity. No country on the planet wants to be seen that way, no country wants to be seen to be push overs for their athletes.
I don't really understand this though, he has not been convicted with anything with regards to the law. Effectively he hasn't broken the law. That's another thing why has he not been convicted after publicly announcing his guilt? Sack him from job/team for misconduct, drop him from national squad for negative influence, fine fair enough. The rest is just bonkers though.
According to rumor from my Malaysian friends, the NBA's actually okay to part with Tago as they could care less about him anymore but not with Momota. If thing's going well for Tago, he will most likely try to be responsible and ask if Momota would like to join him playing overseas league in Malaysia. It will be a huge loss for Japan if they have to give up Momota who would then be naturalized in other country if he then enjoy playing and living overseas , considering Genting Highland and Marina Bay Sands are there to fulfill their gambling needs. So they decided to avoid things to be happening from the first place. NBA's also avoiding if these boys would give to much contribution to another countries badminton power, as if it's really true that Tago and Momota would join force with Lee Chong Wei in Malaysia, it would make them a really formidable team and become a threat and backfire for Japanese badminton.
I think they need to obtain Malaysian nationality first before joining forces with Wei Wei. I think Momota should move to China. That would be better for his development.
Japan couldn't afford giving up two of their best players to other countries so they would do every possible way to stop this from happening. It's no longer about giving punishment but also thinking of their position and world rank in the future after losing two best players. They definitely don't want them to contribute to other badminton powerhouses who has legal casinos like Malaysia, China (Macau) or even Denmark that will entice punters like Tago and Momota.
If Im Tago and in his situation I will: 1. Fake my own death, (so the body cannot be found/identified). 2. Undergo extensive plastic surgery. 3. Get a fake identity, preferably not a JPN one. 4. Do whatever I want without JPN association interfering. Anyone knows if JPN association saves their players DNA? Then I must think of a plan B.
http://kyodonews.net/news/2016/05/07/60021 Disgraced shuttler Kenichi Tago will not be allowed to join any clubs in Malaysia unless he is cleared by the Nippon Badminton Association, the Purple League, Malaysia's professional badminton league, told Kyodo News Saturday. Tago received an indefinite suspension by the NBA and was removed from its athlete register last month for gambling in casinos in Japan, where they are banned. He recently told Kyodo News he would be flying to Malaysia this month to find a new team after being fired by his employer NTT East over the revelations. "All Purple League clubs will have to respect the decision of the Nippon Badminton Association. If there is any interest by the players, we will still need the clearance of the NBA," said Jack Koh, founder and CEO of the Purple League. "There was some inquiry by some clubs about the possibility of the players playing in the PL but we will not allow any clubs to do so unless there is a very clear decision on the matter by NBA," he added. Tago, 26, lost a total of around 10 million yen over 60 visits to casinos in Tokyo and Yokohama from October 2014 to January this year. Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, the current world No. 2 in the men's singles and the winner of silver medals in the past two Olympics, was downbeat on Tago's chances of playing in Malaysia while also acknowledging the harshness of the punishment. "I don't think Malaysia is able to allow him to play. He is suspended by the Japanese Badminton Association, and Malaysia (badminton body) had good relationship with them so I don't think he will be allowed to play," Lee said. "He would have to settle his problem first." "It's a different culture and rules. Over here it's not illegal. We can go to the casino here, so it's difficult to say. A rule is a rule. I feel sad also for him, I'm a sportsman too," he said. "He is still young to end a career like that. But let him solve his problem first," Lee said. ==Kyodo
He's surely enjoying the casino life there lol. Anyway, if some kind of miracle occurs and NBA would let go of their grip on Tago I guess he could represent Malaysia after a while? Hu Yun did leave China for Hong Kong when he was 25. The transition did take a number of years but he's doing quite well now. It's unlikely, but not impossible.
Yo be honest with you I just want to let you know that it is definitely impossible for Kenichi Tago to play for Malaysia. Of course his case cannot be compared to Hu Yun case. Simple as that. Hu Yun name is not tainted. However, Kenichi Tago name has been tainted and smeared. His record is bad. Actually it is Kenichi Tago himself who wanted to play in Malaysia because he is desperate. Kenichi Tago cannot play in Japan hence he wanted to play elsewhere. But just as said, it is not possible. Nippon badminton association have already stated clearly that Kenichi Tago is not allowed to play elsewhere. So definitely Kenichi Tago cannot play elsewhere if his badminton association says NO!!!!!!!
I'm aware of that. I meant by "miracle" that Nippon would allow Tago to play elsewhere. If everything was ok and it wouldn't hurt the relationship between NBA and Malaysian badminton, would MAS still not allow him to play? Gambling is not illegal there, hence he wouldn't be considered a criminal in Malaysia.
Well all of that is not entirely true, not impossible. NBA cant stop him playing badminton in and for other places. Malaysia don't want to ruffle Japan's feathers but if Malaysia decided tomorrow we don't care what nba thinks then he could start playing coaching etc. I wonder if USA, Singapore or hk would be the same
Tago already stated he's only got badminton in him. Judging that now he's spotted hanging out with Malaysian shuttlers. I'm guessing he's already either playing or coaching now.
