South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has thrown his weight behind public calls to boycott the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan. The Taliban government’s ban on women’s sports, including the disbandment of the female cricket team, has sparked widespread outrage.
McKenzie emphasized that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) principles of equality in sports are being violated by Afghanistan’s actions. He noted that the ICC has accepted the importance of developing both male and female players, but Afghanistan’s government is not adhering to this principle.
The minister acknowledged that while the decision to boycott the match ultimately lies with Cricket South Africa and the ICC, he personally believes it would be hypocritical to ignore the Taliban’s discriminatory policies. McKenzie drew parallels with South Africa’s own experiences during apartheid, where equal access to sporting opportunities was denied.
The boycott debate has gained momentum, with over 160 UK politicians urging England to boycott their match against Afghanistan. Australia has already taken a stand by boycotting bilateral series against Afghanistan.
