Bogut forced to apologise to fans for basketball 'embarrassment'
Star Kings signing Andrew Bogut has shown his leadership skills by apologising to fans for a debacle in Newcastle.
The NBA-championship winning centre was forced to apologise to fans in Newcastle, after a trial between the Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks had to be abandoned due to a dangerous surface.
The @SydneyKings vs @illawarrahawks trial in Newcastle has been postponed due to an unplayable surface. The floor has been deemed too slippery. @telegraph_sport
— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) September 8, 2018
Disappointing scenes here in Newcastle with the @SydneyKings vs @illawarrahawks trial postponed due to a slippery floor. Credit to @andrewbogut for taking ownership and announcing the decision to the crowd. Bogut stressed player welfare comes first. @telegraph_sport
— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) September 8, 2018
Bogut explained the players felt unsafe on the court due to moisture on the floor.
The former Golden State Warrior also insisted officials would organise a refund for the packed house at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
With many fans travelling long distances to make it to the match, many were unsurprisingly blowing up.
How is an indoor floor too damp?
— Sharon Goodwin (@s_goodwish) September 8, 2018
So disappointing and so embarrassing. The people behind us drove up from Wollongong 😬
— Hayley Drayton (@hayleydrayton) September 8, 2018
Embarrassment
— Regggie Brayshaw (@reggie_frank) September 8, 2018
Soon after the decision was made, the Sydney Kings released a statement declaring that the Newcastle Entertainment Centre accepted full responsibility.
“It is with great disappointment that we announced tonight’s game between the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks had to be cancelled due to unsafe surface court conditions at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre,” the Kings statement read.
“The surface was too slippery and the venue has accepted full responsibility for preparing a court that was unsafe to be played on. It was not a decision that was made lightly, with both teams agreeing that it would be too dangerous take part.
“The Sydney Kings were very excited to be able to bring the NBL back to Newcastle after more than a decade, and share in the frustrations of the fans that had turned up to the venue.
“We are committed to bringing basketball back to the Hunter, and hope that the local community will continue to show their support for their Kings as was evident by the crowd today.”