Due to the withdrawal of the main sponsor of the event, the Sharks-Cheetahs warmup game in Abu Dhabi has been called off. The match was to have taken place at the Abu Dhabi Harlequins club on 24 January.
Apparently, in these times of financial turmoil, the sponsor cannot justify spending over a Million Rand on sponsoring a rugby fixture after having to lay off 10% of their workforce this month. Can’t say I blame them, really.
No details are forthcoming at this stage as to whether the match will go ahead anywhere else in South Africa.
More details as we get them.
Tweet
so much for that, then…
who’s the sponsors?
Good Day, Ladies.. 😉
Ag no man… 🙁
@McLovin (Comment 2) : I’m not sure… trying to find out. This sets an interesting precedent…
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 3) : not again…!
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 3) : Aloha!
Surprising really. Banks are sacking thousands yet still sponsor major events.
Whindy won’t be a happy chap.
this game was going to be in his backyard.
What’s wrong with watching a little rugby after sacking your staff? 😆
@McLovin (Comment 2) :
Nobody. 🙂
@klempie (Comment 8) :
Ja. use it as a going away function for them. 😳
Can a main sponsor sommer withdraw without any penalties? Bit strange.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 9) : Who WAS the sponsor then minora? 😛
you guys are more than a little insensitive… this thing will come to SA as well. It will just take a little longer to get down there.
@klempie (Comment 8) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
Sies julle twee!! 👿 😈 @robdylan (Comment 4) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : Yeh exactly.
minora??
bwahahahahaa
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 14) : Wat’s die probleem bokdrol? Ons is mos net een van die meisies. 🙄
So looks like it will be Sharks v Cheetahs at ABSA as we are going to Bloem in the S14.
Hi all!!!
Just NOT good news…was looking forward to some REAL rugby for a change….but maybe the game will be at ABSA…then I will be really happy 😀
Raining again!
I am enjoying this week’s weather.
@McLovin (Comment 11) :
In the Middle East ANYTHING is possible mate. 😳
@McLovin (Comment 12) :
Minora!!!!!!! 😯
Not sure if you are saying I’m sharp or insulting me? 😆
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Just remember we are a DEVELOPING economy!!
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 3) :
What colour is your pajamas?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 22) : The sharp thing of course. 😉
What a bummer, here I was getting all excited, now I have to go and watch Trevor Immelman win the Abu Dhabi Open
@Whindy (Comment 26) : What’s wrong with that?
Ah…this is not cool…but I guess they have a good reason…
Bring it to ABSA Kings Park! 😀
@Whindy (Comment 26) :
🙂
(Comment 27) Just would have prefered the rugby, we are spoilt up here, just a pity the sponsor pulled out
@KSA Shark © (Comment 24) :
What pajamas?? 😈
JK!! Why??? 😯
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 31) :
Okay I am not taking this conversation any further. 😳
@Me2 (Comment 23) : ummm… there’s a GLOBAL recession happening?
Where did the pajamas come in? 😕 ❓
@robdylan (Comment 33) : All i know is petrol is freakin cheap these days
Why is diesel more expensive than petrol? Used to be the other way around.
@McLovin (Comment 34) :
Ice called us Ladies.
The only time I don’t mind being called a lady is if I am going to be invited to a pillow fight in pajamas with ladies. 😉
@McLovin (Comment 34) : KSA is proving what we all (girls that is) know…men cannot multi task 😉
@PJLD (Comment 35) :
I know exactly what you mean, I am paying 80c/liter for 91 and ZAR1,20/liter for 95. 🙂
@Me2 (Comment 38) :
Hehehhehee
@KSA Shark © (Comment 37) : @Me2 (Comment 38) : I see. I think…
(Comment 29)KSA ja 😀
@KSA Shark © (Comment 37) :
Ahhhh! on the slow side again today… 😳 where’s those minora’s – need to sharpen up!! 😀
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) : $#$^^ $%#^#$%^%#$ $%^#$%^ %#$^ 👿 #$^% $%^#$%^%$
#$%#$%^ ^%$$^$% *(&^*^$# ^ ^%$& %^*%^*%^ 👿
@PJLD (Comment 35) : same here… it’s actually lekker
@robdylan (Comment 33) : Didn’t you hear? 😛
@McLovin (Comment 36) : That’s what *I* want to know! 👿 It’s less refined so it SHOULD be cheaper and I can’t see how demand would have changed much. Thieving bastards. 👿
@klempie (Comment 47) : Indeed. 👿
@McLovin (Comment 48) : I can’t complain though I guess. I still get 900km to 50 litres which still works out cheaper.
@klempie (Comment 49) : 900km. City or open road?
@klempie (Comment 49) :
I only get 700kms to a tank and that is on the open road. And my tank is 135Liters. 😳 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) : Slow down… 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) : At least we now know who’s to blame for global warming. 😛
@McLovin (Comment 50) : Both. I live in Midrand and work in Pretoria.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) :
is your vehicle a Camel by any chance?? 😈
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 55) : Of course not. Everyone knows camels are one of the most efficient users of water on the planet. 🙄
@klempie (Comment 56) :
Ja – but maybe this one has a blown gasket.. 😕
It has to take the weight, you know! 😈
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 57) :
Sjoe! Everyone duck for cover! There is going be a girl fight anytime soon! Maybe with pillows!
@klempie (Comment 58) :
KSA in his purple jammies??
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 59) :
Hehehhehehe
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 55) :
Toyota Land Cruiser
@klempie (Comment 58) :
i got distracted by damn work and some emails.
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 59) : X-rated stuff that!
@klempie (Comment 62) :
You’ve SEEN it?? 😯 😯 😈
@klempie (Comment 62) :
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 63) :
It’s only X-Rated when i wear it with a G-String in the Summer months. 😛
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 63) : You’re the one who said they were purple! 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 64) :
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
@klempie (Comment 65) :
Shhhhh!!! Kette gave me some inside info! 😎 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 64) :
puke!! bad visuals! puke AGAIN!!! 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 64) : I take it, it’s not ‘langmou’ pajamas. 😉
@McLovin (Comment 68) :
😆
@wpw (Comment 67) :
😆
Seems there never was a sponsor… 🙄
@McLovin (Comment 70) :
❓
@KSA Shark © (Comment 71) : I are confused. Just ignore me.. 😐
@McLovin (Comment 72) : 🙂
Maybe I am just naturally suspicious but I have that same niggling thought.
There has been no announcment of who the sponsor is/was even on the Abu Dhabi Rugby clubs website who were going to host the event.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 71) : Read another report saying the promoters couldn’t get a sponsor. But this one says otherwise. 😕
I also find it strange that the letter from the Chariman of the club doesn’t mention who the sponsor is who pulled out??????
It is with deep regret that I write to inform you of our inability to host next weeks proposed fixture in Abu Dhabi
The problem around this first surfaced on Thursday afternoon when the main sponsor for the event notified me of their intention to withdraw
The reasoning is that in these times of financial crisis they could not reconcile spending the equivalent of R1.54 Million on a rugby game while laying off 10,8% of their work force effective 15 January 2009
Since then I have worked on finding a replacement sponsor but have been unable to find one at such short notice so have been left with no alternative to make this decision.
I’d also like to apologies to Willem Strauss and Darryl Weir for any embarrassment that this situation might cause but as I’m sure you will all appreciate, it would be irresponsible of me to lead my club down a pathway with that kind of debt at the end of it
My thanks and apologies also to the SA referees and Craig Joubert in particular who the regions ref’s would have benefitted from having a session with.
As a passionate rugby man, and a passionate South African, I am devastated that I have had to make this decision.I realise that the loss of this fixture may have a bearing on both teams performances in the early part of the season and can only hope that it doesn’t
Please feel free to contact me to discuss this should you so wish
My sincere apologies once again
Regards
Richard
Richard Harris
Chairman
Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club
http://www.abudhabiquins.com
@KSA Shark © (Comment 75) : “Devastated”? Bit over the top isn’t it?
@klempie (Comment 76) : I’m sure he’ll get over it..
Courtesy of my mate Arch.
Two Australians are busy fitting out a new shop and they decide to take a break. As they sit down between the empty shelves one says to the other, “I wonder how long it will take for some idiot to ask us what we are selling”. No sooner had he finished, than there was a South African banging on the window shouting “What you selling?” – One of the Aussies piped up “Arseholes”. The Saffer responded quick as a flash, “Well you must be doing a roaring trade because looks like you only have 2 left”.
HAHAHAHA
didn’t Richard Harris die some years ago? It was after he played Dumbledore in the first Harry Potter movie…
Wait a minute. I smell a plot.
KSA, can you try get to the bottom of this? I reckon Voldy is involved…
@robdylan (Comment 79) : Are you talking about He Who’s Name We Do Not Speak?
Geez. I can’t believe I even know that! Thanks Mom! 🙄
@klempie (Comment 78) : 😆
Mense wat is die vertaling van “Pokkel”?
@klempie (Comment 82) : short & fat?
@McLovin (Comment 83) : I thought it was a term of endearment?
@klempie (Comment 82) :
fatso’tjie??
@klempie (Comment 82) :
I think it is “F%$^k All”
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 85) : Something like Butterball?
@klempie (Comment 84) : It is. My translation isn’t.
@klempie (Comment 87) : That sounds about right.
Guys – and this a bad thing? How? Sounded like a waste of money to me in the first place? Whats the attraction of playing Sharks vs Cheetahs in the Gulf? Neither team will take it seriously so effectively you are watching the sharks practice (cant you do that at the B field?) – Organise a game against a non SA club if its not gonna be in SA. Just my opinion..
seems the Cheetahs have opted to rather have an internal practice match next Saturday. I guess this mean the game won’t be rescheduled.
Leaves the Sharks with only one warm-up, against the Bulls.
That spells disaster
@robdylan (Comment 91) :
Please, not a disaster…we are also playing one warm up game against the Bulls….
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 92) : I think for us, it will be a disaster… too much aggro