GOLDEN POINT
THE STATE OF PLAY ...
THUMBS UP
IT’S not often a business will get a mention in this column but Aquis deserve a gong for their support of the Titans.
It’s easy to see why the Gold Coast are attractive to sponsors now.
With a team on the rise and one of the biggest sporting stars in the country on their roster, the exposure the Titans can give sponsors is equal to any club in the league.
Add to that off-field stability — both financially and in the boardroom — and the Gold Coast are among the most marketable clubs in the competition. Now, that is. It certainly wasn’t the case two years ago when Aquis first entered into discussions with the Titans and that’s the reason the company deserves real credit. Titans boss Graham Annesley put it succinctly when he said Hong Kong billionaire Tony Fung’s company joined the club in “our darkest hour’’.
And while it is Aquis that will be handing over the cash after their five-year naming rights extension, the Titans are determined to do everything in their power to repay the faith shown in the club.
THUMBS DOWN
REPORTS countries could be prevented from competing at next month’s Paralympic Games due to funding shortfalls from organisers are a real concern.
While Australia has already paid for the travel and accommodation of all its athletes and freight costs associated with getting specialised equipment to and from Rio, several smaller countries are relying on grants which have not yet been paid to allow them to compete. Allegations have been made that Brazil’s organising committee, which is responsible for both Games, channelled funds meant for the Paralympics into the Olympics and have run out of money.
That, combined with news earlier this week that only 12 per cent of tickets for the Paralympics have been sold, is alarming.
Empty stadiums would be off-putting for the athletes and a major disappointment considering the mainstream success of the London Paralympics.
Expect Aussie athletes to thrive regardless.
LAST WORD
STILL on the Paralympics, look forward to seeing some of Australia’s biggest sporting stars in a series of advertisements with our Paralympians.
Jarryd Hayne filmed a segment with swimmer Brendan Hall, who won two gold medals in London.
Other ads in the series include our Paralympians with the likes of Steve Waugh and Joel Selwood.