ZCU - "We are not interested in white players, only new Taibus"

[Neil Pickup]

A letter in February 2004's Wisden Cricketer from ex-Zimbabwe quick Bryan Strang:

Peter Roebuck's article suggests that people opposed to sporting ties in an abnormal society are "contemptible". I challenge his simplistic view on sport and politics as naive and ill-informed.

I was selected as coach for Mashonaland West Under-12s. On the second day of our cricket week, with five minutes to start of play, I was adjusting the stumps when I was approached by an individual who I mistakenly believed was my fellow umpire. I extended my hand only to be racially abused and sworn at by the individual (who is in the employ of the ZCU) for dropping his player and was told "we are not interested in white players, only new Taibus". This tirade lasted for at least 10 minutes and was said in earshot of many young cricketers. I was shocked, angry and very scared.

This incident has been reported to the ZCU in writing and they have, in their wisdom, swept it under the carpet. To Mr Roebuck I say not all of the Zimbabwe cricketing community believe that Zimbabweans should be playing abroad as some of us know first-hand the politicisation and racialisation of cricket in Zimbabwe. Children are learning first-hand from coaches and policy-makers that skin colour matters. A union which promotes racial division and does nothing about hate speech should not be given the courtesy of touring democratic countries. What we need is for writers to think before they write, as words legitimise our reality.
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End of Letter
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My opinion - Ban Zimbabwe Now.

[age_master]

Originally posted by Neil Pickup

My opinion - Ban Zimbabwe Now.

that would be bad for the game in Zimbabwe, which is struggling enough already, also, what good could it possibly do

[Craig]

It would be a shame that good players like Price, Taibu and Streak, G.Flower, and Vermulean (I actually think he can be a good player) wont get to play Test cricket.

It is the same that happened to Barry Richards, Greame and Peter Pollock etc. but it probably has to be done.

[Neil Pickup]

Originally posted by age_master
that would be bad for the game in Zimbabwe, which is struggling enough already, also, what good could it possibly do

I assume you were also pro-SA playing during apartheid, then?

Human rights come before the game.

[Samuel_Vimes]

Originally posted by Neil Pickup
A letter in February 2004's Wisden Cricketer from ex-Zimbabwe quick Bryan Strang:

Peter Roebuck's article suggests that people opposed to sporting ties in an abnormal society are "contemptible". I challenge his simplistic view on sport and politics as naive and ill-informed.

I was selected as coach for Mashonaland West Under-12s. On the second day of our cricket week, with five minutes to start of play, I was adjusting the stumps when I was approached by an individual who I mistakenly believed was my fellow umpire. I extended my hand only to be racially abused and sworn at by the individual (who is in the employ of the ZCU) for dropping his player and was told "we are not interested in white players, only new Taibus". This tirade lasted for at least 10 minutes and was said in earshot of many young cricketers. I was shocked, angry and very scared.

This incident has been reported to the ZCU in writing and they have, in their wisdom, swept it under the carpet. To Mr Roebuck I say not all of the Zimbabwe cricketing community believe that Zimbabweans should be playing abroad as some of us know first-hand the politicisation and racialisation of cricket in Zimbabwe. Children are learning first-hand from coaches and policy-makers that skin colour matters. A union which promotes racial division and does nothing about hate speech should not be given the courtesy of touring democratic countries. What we need is for writers to think before they write, as words legitimise our reality.
---------------
End of Letter
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My opinion - Ban Zimbabwe Now.

Seconded. This is racism of the worst sort. Utterly awful and condemnatory.

However, I repeat my sentiments that England should not unilaterally boycott Zimbabwe, but instead try to make it a full ban by the whole cricketing community.

[Sanz]

Yes - Ban ZCU. Racism of any kind is bad.

[anzac]

this issue IMO raises further questions such as

what was the result of the recent Commonwealth Heads of State meeting re Zimbabwe's position in the Commonwealth?

and does RSA still have a quota system?

this is not the first time this issue re bans has been raised, and my position has not changed.........


:!(

[Neil Pickup]

SA still has a 2 players per state quota at domestic level, but no longer at Test level.

I can understand this, as it's positive discrimination in an attempt to reform the legacy of apartheid. I expect it to be phased out as it has been at Test level.

This discrimination, on the other hand is nothing except negative and racist and would not be allowed anywhere else - can you imagine what would happen if someone in the UK decreed that they weren't interested in black players.

Get them out, now.

[anzac]

just wanted to clarify the RSA quota situation to ensure any action taken is applied equally - not just to whomever happens to be under the spotlight at the time........

you should know my position on this Neil from the hot debates on this at the time of the WC etc regarding bans...........

I think I referred to the SA precendent as having already set / determined the 'appropriate' course of action......

& so far as the players are concerned if you really wanted to press the point then questions can be asked regarding their loyalties / priorities etc.........

does the term "you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas" ring any bells???

or how about "you make your bed - you lie in it"............

it may appear to be a tough call on them but IMO nowhere near as tough as the call made by A Flower & H Olonga.............

Personally I admit to being disappointed to have seen nothing done since the WC...............

:!(

[V Reddy]

This is pathetic :!(

[Tom Halsey]

Ban the ZCU.

I am sorry to hear about that individual racially abusing you.

[Neil Pickup]

Originally posted by halsey
I am sorry to hear about that individual racially abusing you.

Wasted sentence, methinks.

[Langeveldt]

No point in banning the ZCU, as it will make absolutely no difference to Zimbabwe's situation.. Mugabe does not care for cricket, so whats the point in denying some decent guys it??

And if you want a country which sweeps racist statements under the carpet, why dont you ban SA while you are at it?

[Rik]

Yeah I read that artical. What's the point in Zimbabwe still playing if they are just going to be seriously weak because black players of lesser ability are being picked? Streak and Flower don't deserve it, but do Zimbabwe deserve to play International Cricket while they are discriminating against white players? No. Did South Africa get away with Apartheid?

No. Neither should Zimbabwe.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Fair point Rik.

That said, there's this thing called sleep. You might try it sometime...