South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has joined the calls for Proteas to boycott their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 game against Afghanistan for deteriorating human rights against women.
His call has indicated to “take a firm stand in solidarity with the women” of Afghanistan. He further stated that Public support for a boycott was “a position that I feel morally bound to support, despite the deep complications of Afghanistan’s recent and tragic history,” said Gayton McKenzie.
“To be clear, the ICC has accepted the principle of equality in sport, and that member nations should be developing both male and female players.”
“This does not happen in the case of Afghanistan, suggesting that political interference in the administration of sport is being tolerated there. In the same breath, Sri Lanka was banned in 2023 for political interference.”
“I am aware that the ICC, like most international sporting mother bodies, professes not to tolerate political interference in the administration of sport, despite its obvious inconsistency with Afghanistan,” said Gayton.
“It is not for me as the Sports Minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan.”
“If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen. 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 being done towards women anywhere in the world.”
“Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, and especially the women in sports.”
“I hope that the consciences of all those involved in cricket, including the supporters, players and administrators, will take a firm stand in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan,” concluded Mckenzie.
South Africa are placed in Group B alongside with Afghanistan, Australia and England. The Proteas are scheduled to play against Afghanistan on February 21.
“Sport was only the first joy to be removed from women in Afghanistan, and since then the Taliban have removed their most basic human rights and freedoms on a prolific scale,” Hain wrote.
“Women are denied access to schools and universities, have been barred from most forms of employment and have now been denied all healthcare, as they can no longer train as nurses or be treated by male medics.”
“They are banned from beauty salons, stadiums, gyms and parks, cannot travel alone without a male chaperone, dance, sing or drive. Their faces are banned from view, their voices from being heard, even in prayer.”
“Most recently, the Taliban has banned windows through which women might be glimpsed in their domestic spaces.
“Will South African cricket please raise the plight of Afghan women cricketers in the ICC and express firm solidarity with Afghan women and girls who wish to play?”
South Africa will play their first match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand on February 10 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
