South Africa’s Sports Minister calls for boycott of Champions Trophy against AFG

South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie is making waves by urging the national men’s cricket team to sit out their upcoming ICC Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. Because? She wants to take a stance of support for Afghan women, who have been stripped of their rights under the Taliban regime.

McKenzie’s moral stance

In a public statement, McKenzie said she feels a deep moral responsibility to speak out about the way Afghan women are treated. He acknowledged that Afghanistan’s history is complicated, but stressed the importance of raising awareness about the current situation.

“Public support for a boycott is a position I feel morally obligated to support, despite the profound complications of Afghanistan’s recent tragic history,” McKenzie said.

Criticism of the ICC’s position

McKenzie highlighted the inconsistency in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) stance against political interference in sports, particularly in the case of Afghanistan. He stressed that while the final decision lies with the cricket authorities, he is personally opposed to playing Afghanistan under the current circumstances.

“It is not for me, as Sports Minister, to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honor cricket matches against Afghanistan. “If it was my decision, then it certainly wouldn’t happen,” he added.

Drawing parallels with the apartheid era in South Africa

McKenzie made a powerful connection to South Africa’s past under apartheid and emphasized how important it is to take a stand against any form of discrimination. She highlighted the double standard of turning a blind eye to the suffering of Afghan women while also condemning the injustices suffered by South Africans in their own struggle for freedom.

“As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is done to women anywhere in the world,” McKenzie stated.

Support from anti-apartheid activists

Peter Hain, a South African-born anti-apartheid activist and member of the UK House of Lords, also joined the conversation. In an open letter to Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Pholetsi Moseki, Hain highlighted the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on the rights of Afghan women.

“Sport was just the first pleasure taken from women in Afghanistan, and since then the Taliban has eliminated their most basic human rights and freedoms on a prolific scale,” Hain wrote.

Hain exposed the grim reality that Afghan women face: they are prohibited from going to school, working, accessing healthcare and even basic rights such as freedom of movement and expression. He called on Cricket South Africa (CSA) to pressure the ICC to address these serious human rights violations.

“Could South African cricket raise the plight of Afghan women cricketers at the ICC and express strong solidarity with Afghan women and girls who wish to play?”

The CSA’s response

Cricket South Africa (CSA) responded by harshly criticizing the persistent violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan. The organization underlined its commitment to supporting gender equality in sports and highlighted its long-standing support of women’s cricket in South Africa to demonstrate that promise in action.

“CSA found the treatment and suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan abhorrent and firmly believes that women’s cricket deserves equal recognition and resources,” the statement read.

However, CSA clarified that its stance on Afghanistan’s participation in the Champions Trophy would be guided by ICC regulations.

“As the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, the position on Afghanistan should be guided by the world body in accordance with the requirements and regulations of participation in international tournaments.”

Calls for a unified approach

CSA President Rihan Richards stressed that addressing this issue requires a united front from all ICC member countries. He highlighted the importance of collective action to achieve real change.

“We are of the view that a more unified and collective approach by all ICC members will have more impact. “CSA is committed and will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the ICC and other members to find a solution that champions women’s cricket in Afghanistan and influences meaningful change in that country.”

Ongoing boycott debates

McKenzie’s call for a boycott comes as several Afghan players participate in the ongoing SA20 league. Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan, captain of MI Cape Town, highlighted the benefits of Afghan players participating in international leagues, which has helped raise the standards of cricket in Afghanistan.

“Since our players have been playing in the [T20] leagues, Afghanistan cricket has benefited. We reached the semi-finals of the [2024] T20 World Cup. Ten years earlier, I don’t think anyone would have thought that Afghanistan would reach the semi-finals,” Rashid said.

The boycott demand reflects the stance of more than 160 UK lawmakers who called on England to withdraw from their match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy. Australia, meanwhile, have stuck to their policy of avoiding direct series with Afghanistan but continue to compete against them in ICC events.

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