MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

CSA must eliminate racism in the sport at all levels

By

Statement by Eastern Province Cricket and Eastern Cape Warriors Cricket Franchise after a special meeting to discuss the call for support of the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM) and the consequent racial tensions that have cascaded therefrom

Eastern Province Cricket and the Eastern Cape Warriors Cricket Franchise have issued a statement calling on Cricket South Africa (CSA) to take action to eliminate racism in the sport at all levels.

The special meeting noted that 37 former national players and coaches have come out in support of the call, with some sharing chilling versions of racial victimization during their tenure in professional cricket. The list and recounts of racial treatment grows daily.

The statement reads:

The boards of Eastern Province Cricket and the Eastern Cape Warriors Cricket Franchise call on Cricket South Africa to take to heart the racism issues raised by more than 37 former national players and coaches – many of whom are from the Eastern Cape.

It is not enough to merely condemn incidents of racism and to publicly support the Black Lives Matter movement. Something tangible must be done to put an end to racism at all levels of the sport – and particularly at professional level where the example needs to be set.

We would remind the Cricket South Africa (CSA) board that racial segregation formally ended 29 years ago, in June 1991 with the establishment of the non-racial United Cricket Board of South Africa.

Members of the two Eastern Cape boards can attest first-hand that racism in cricket is real. We urge Cricket South Africa to live up to its vision, which is “To ensure that cricket is supported by the majority of South Africans, and available to all who want to play it”.

For our part, both boards are committed to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and will assist CSA where necessary to identify and eradicate racism in South African cricket.

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.