DISPUTE: AKIL VS BACKDOOR
Akil Cheung, the guy from Hong-Kong, who have registered BACK DOOR team (Shisha Lounge from Hong-Kong) on Hookahbattle platfrom, and who’ve been the team capitan participating as BACKDOOR team at the next events:
“Shisha Battle Hong Kong 2023 (1 place)”
“(Online) Shop Interior Design Award International 2024 (contestant, no award place)”
“Hookah Battle China Town Cup 2024 (1 place)”
Have changed the brand name of “BACKDOOR” -> to “Akil Cheung“
Points of HookahBattle events affects on global rating position in our Hall Of Fame:
Participation in each event gives from 1 to 10 points. Reaching 41 points gives Silver Ring and status of The Legend of HookahBattle
We do not have an exact rule about HookahBattle account membership and points. We have a cases when former employee keeps account of lounge and rename it. And we have opposite cases as well. Each case we review individual. In this post I would like offer to write a comment of 2 sides:
1. Akil
2. Backdoor lounge owner
Than everyone from our community can also add some comments and vote for opinions and we will make a decision about who will be the holder of HookahBattle regalia from the past events.
4 Comments
Want to add a comment? Commenting and voting is only available to members of the Business Club Hookah Battle (Join for free)
Already a Business club member? Log in.
I’m writing to respond in the following points:
1. Regarding the mentioned selection, I’m not selected to take part the Hong Kong Shisha Battle 2023. Before the registration of the battle, I refused to join the battle, but the one of the owner keep persuaded me to join the battle. Finally, I joined the battle with the brand of “backdooor” while I just want to help promote their brand through the battle no matter the ranking.
2. For China Town Cup, after the shisha battle 2023, I want to explore more with other countries and I target on China Town Cup, then I insisted to join the battle in Russia as I mentioned below. I want to clarify Backdoor didn’t even know there is China Town Cup. I’m the person to suggest joining the battle. I do want to communicate with other hookah masters in Russia so I decide to join the battle.
3. Backdoor have no any statement about the management of the account by me, I do think the account belong to me and I don’t think I’m managing “backdoor” account but I’m managing my account and using my account for my own uses on hookahbattle.
4. In order to compensate the loss of point to backdoor, as discussed with backdoor, they think we are the co-owner of the awards. I’m pleasured to share the ownership of the award for China Town Cup 2024. But, I want to state that backdoor had only sponsor by money but no any support to the battle. I and my teammates put all the efforts on preparation for the battle and all plans for survival in Moscow. Backdoor had offered us a team manager but she did nothing about the trip in Russia. We need to plan our accommodation and all the living arrangements in Russia. Therefore, money should not be a major support among the battle.
Finally, I thank Backdoor for giving me a great opportunity to work there. I will keep my passion on hookah. I also thank hookahbattle to hold this dispute and I respect for the result as well.
I’m the owner of Backdoor.
Backdoor group is committed to promoting Shisha culture in Hong Kong while supporting talented Shisha packers to advance the industry. Our company is dedicated to providing resources to ensure employees have the opportunities for growth and development, including participation in competitions to gain experience and networking with peers both inside & outside of Hong Kong.
Among the Backdoor Shisha team, Akil was selected as a representative for both competition. Throughout the periods, the company provided appropriate support, including competition fees and various related advice.
The Backdoor hookah battle account was established in 2023, during which the company encouraged and nominated Akil to represent Backdoor at the Shisha Battle Hong Kong 2023, therefore the account was managed and registered by Akil with the sole purpose is for an easier registering competitions for Backdoor.
Furthermore, regarding the China Town Cup 2024, since it is not a local Hong Kong event, Backdoor has fully funded Akil and his teammate Gigi to participate in Russia (including airfare, hotel accommodations, and competition materials). Akil and his team member agreed and understood that this competition would be conducted under the name of Backdoor, and they signed a sponsorship agreement for their participation. Therefore, the results of the competition should belong to Backdoor, and the outcomes should been recorded under the name of Backdoor .
Backdoor expresses great gratitude to Akil for representing the company in the previous 2 competitions under the name of Backdoor team and achieving excellent results, we take great pride of this achievement . However, the team are extremely disappointed with his subsequent decision to change the account brand name from the original name “Backdoor” to “Akil Cheung” without informing any management member of the company. This action has resulted in the loss of all previous scores related with Backdoor.
Backdoor entire group remains committed to growing together with our employees and is dedicated to training more outstanding Shisha practitioners. We hope for a harmonious relationship between employees and the company as we work together towards our shared goals. Regarding the current dispute, we fully respect the final decision of Hookah Battle.
Hi everyone, I’m Akil Cheung who works as a part time hookah master in Backdoor.
Last year, I have created a personal account for my personal records and used the same account to join Hong Kong Shisha Battle with the Brand of “Backdoor”. I put strong efforts to prepare the battle by myself and finally won the champion.
This year, I want to explore more and want to take part other hookah battle around the world and I target on China Town Cup. Then, I formed a team to join the battle with Gigi and a boss of backdoor and the boss suggests to sponsor our flight and accommodation for this battle. But eventually the boss cannot join the battle in some fair related reason. Then the boss has persuaded me to join Slavic Cup with reason that Battle in Russian will be more difficult. But I do want to join China Town Cup and I insist to join it myself with changing the brand to individual. Finally, the boss said they can still sponsor me but I need to use Backdoor as Brand and have some conditions with specific contractor, otherwise, I have to give them back the money which I can give them back to get my records.
In the preparation of China Town Cup, we did discussed the ideas with the boss before she didn’t know she cannot join it but we finally prepared everything by ourselves, no matter the mix, design of the hookah and presentation. Even the flight, accommodation and local payment method are prepared by ourselves and paid by ourselves first.
I know there are some cases like Original Virginia Group which will send and give support as a team to people to join different hookah battle around the world. If in this case, I totally understand and I must accept the terms before attending any battle.
However, in my case, they have never stated any terms about every rewards and points even account (no matter by verbal or on contract) belong to Backdoor. Also, the boss knows the brand can be changed at anytime before and the boss had said that the rewards are benefit to me.
In my point of view, I’m using my personal account to promote their brand or give benefits to their business. I have my free wills to change my work place and I can change other brand to help other place as well. I can state the workplace when I won the awards to give credits but the account should be owned by me.
Hope you can support people who love and investigate hookah in this community but not only focus on earning money. Thank you.
Akil Cheung / BackDoor BRAND inside our system been frozen (not possible to delete or change anything there) untill the end of this DISPUT
https://hookahbattle.com/en/brand/akil-cheung/