CRICKETING by Sam Ramsamy ".r- •I r . «MK "Collaboration with, rather than isolation of, the enemy, in order to give apartheid a face-lift, cannot be in the best interests of West Indian players or West Indian cricket, if for no other reason than that the very forces responsible for the impoverishment and oppression of the South African peoples are the very same forces responsible for the underdevelopment of the Caribbean, namely American and British imperialism." Workers' Part y of Jamaica Apartheid sport, isolated from nearly all standards was being acclaimed as the greatest international participation, is now fighting side ever to visit South Africa. Employen for its survival. were asked to do their utmost to enable International sport is very important to their staff to watch the matches. The racist South Africa. More important than in apartheid regime's minister in charge of any other country in the world. Besides sport congratulated the organisers on "their using sport as an avenue to create respecta­ tremendous success" and appealed "to all bility for apartheid. South Africa also uses South Africans to do what is practical to sport to unite the whites into a fervour of support the successful initative of the racist patriotism. (white) South African Cricket Union.*' Recently several West Indian cricketers Although sportsmen from developing were lured to South Africa to be used as countries are easy prey for western entre­ court jesters to boost the flagging morale preneurs not many suspected that West of apartheid's white electorate. The all- Indian cricketers would ever play in black West Indian opposition playing all- apartheid South Africa. white South African national sides was an As soon as the cricketers landed in ideal environment to stir the white rulers to South Africa compassionate stories were ecstatic chauvinism. circulating the world over, that their choice The West Indian team which was was between playing in South Africa and relatively mediocre by international starving. One of the West Indian cricketers 29 even a*ked, "When you see your wife and seas supporters defined the West Indian children don't have enough to eat what do cricket tour as a victory for sport and a you do?" Another stated, "if someone defeat for those who wished to bring politics is prepared to give me money to feed my into sport. The sports lesson which emerged children, buy them clothing and myself a from this tour was that lies are elevated motor car I will not go." "Hut these to moral acceptability and deceit is legiti­ cricketers were attracted by highly inflated mised. And as for bringing politics into appearance fees is certainly true. That they sport it seems that it is perfectly in order accepted the offers because their families for the apartheid regime, whose sole aim is were starving is an utter and blatant lie. to maintain white domination, to underwrite Anyone who might consider pardoning the tour. them because of inspiration they might have It seems obvious that English county received from the ancient saying "forgive cricket grounds were important venues for them, for they know not what they do," recruitment and finalising contracts. White will only be absolving these collaborators South African cricketers attached to English from treachery. "It is an act of treachery county cricket, no doubt, played a crucial to the black people of South Africa who part in the negotiations. Their role is being cry out for help for relief from the indig­ conveniently suppressed because of the nities and suffering of apartheid and the possibility of reprisals. It is also strongly repression of the regime which upholds suspected that an international hotel chain it," said Sir Sridath Ramphal, Common­ acted as conduits to channel money to wealth Secretary-General. Any mediocre certain West Indian islands and facilitated cricketer who is given 150 000 dollars for communication with South Africa. One a five week tour knows what he is being paid English cricketer is reported to have for. No country will spend 4 million dollars approached Malcolm Marshall of Barbados, to attract a bunch of mediocre cricketers the West Indian fast bowler, to tour South if it is not of national importance. The seven Africa with a promise of an extremely huge month secret negotiations which preceded appearance fee. Marshall declined to go. the tour is sufficient evidence in itself that So did Barbadians Desmond Haynes and every player was fully aware of the implica­ Hartley Alleyne. Foaud Bacchus of Guyana tions of participating in South Africa. Only and Winston Davis of St Vincent and a week before their arrival in South Africa Windward Island withdrew earlier. several of the cricketers denied any know­ ledge of the tour. One of them, Lawrence A few years ago top West Indian Rowe, even deceived and misled Mr. Alan cricketers, Viv Richards of Antigua and Rae, President of the West Indies Cricket Give Lloyd of Guyana were virtually given Board of Control, about his stand, causing an open cheque to appear in South Africa Mr. Rae to make an embarrassing and but these offers were rejected with the premature declaration of gratitude. This contempt they deserved. Lloyd said, "there deception was termed "vicious and heinous" was no way I would go there under the by Jamaica's Minister of Youth and present system and that was my final word." Community Development, Mr. Errol There was world-wide condemnation Anderson. of the tour. Clive Lloyd, the West Indian captain said that it was a major setback Even one of South Africa's white news­ for the people who are trying to get rid of papers stated that the tour had become a the apartheid system. He accepted that "the major media event. The newspaper went on money was very tempting, but that was not to say, "this is an important sporting event, all in life." and an even more important political event." The West Indies Cricket Board of The usual band of South Africa's over­ Control immediately banned the cricketers M it wonderful taw (kg Wwdkt fove broken ike barrieisd kptotteW for life and several West Indian Governments auothcj matter. II ie apartheid regime ha* stated that the cricketers would not be nominated a liason officer to facilitate all allowed to enter their countries. The their travel and accomodation arrangements. Grenada Government said that the money Besides, as one white South African news­ earned by these cricketers should be confis­ paper put it. "Unfortunately they haven't cated and handed to the ANC and SWAPO. been able to see much, if anything except Mr. Michael Manley, former Prime Minister airports, hotels and cricket crowds." The of Jamaica, called the cricketers "traitors regime's liason officer also ensured that to the liberation struggle of the South these collaborators were fully occupied African people." Mr. Malcom Fraser, Prime with electronic games during any spare Minister of Australia, a strong supporter time they had. of the sports boycott campaign .announced that Australia would refuse entry to any The West Indian Team consisted of: player who plays representative cricket in South Africa. Barbados Inside South Africa black trade unions, Collis King, Emmerson Trotman, Franklyn student groups and sports bodies affiliated Stephenson, Alvin Greenidge, Sylvester to the anti-apartheid South African Council Clarke, Ezra Moseley, David Murray, on Sport (SACOS) called for a mass boycott Gregory Armstrong, Albert Padmore. of the matches. SACOS condemned the Jamaica cricketers for accepting the degrading Richard Austin, Lawrence Rowe, Everton status of "Honorary White". An AZAPO Mattis, Ray Wynter spokesman said "We will try and meet these Guyana fellows and impress upon them that their Colin Croft, Alvin Kalicharan. mercenary tour is retrogressive to our Trinidad and Tobago liberation struggle." Bernard Julien. Whether these mercenaries will evei Leeward Island be exposed to the daily humiliations that Derrick Parry. black South Africans are subjected to is .