Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Ozias Bvute said he could not understand why the likes of South Africa and England had frozen ties with his organization, while Zimbabweans continued to compete at international level in other leading sports.
Cricket South Africa’s action last week in cutting bilateral links with its neighbor, after Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of a presidential election in order to prevent his supporters being subject to fresh attacks by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s regime, set off a chain of cricket events.
Ray Mali, the South African president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), moved to have the whole issue of Zimbabwe’s status added to the agenda of next week’s meeting of the global governing body in Dubai. Meanwhile, English officials, with the backing of the British government, called off Zimbabwe’s planned tour of England next year. Government ministers also called for Zimbabwe to be excluded from next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in England.
But Bvute, writing in a letter sent to all members of the ICC executive, said it was wrong to impose sporting sanctions for political reasons. However critics, including former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower, have repeatedly argued that Zimabawe Cricket’s close ties with the ruling ZANU-PF party mean it is not an independent sporting body.
“We [Zimbabwe] are a full member of FIFA and are currently participating in a World Cup qualifying campaign,” Bvute told BBC Radio on Saturday. “We have a swimming program which has produced Kirsty Coventry, a recent winner in the world championships, so it would be strange that the only sport to take action on so-called current worries is cricket, when all the other world sporting bodies have not taken that stance.”
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s meeting, Bvute said: “I cannot speculate on the outcome, but we have obviously noted the actions of others. Over the last few years there have been problems between England and Zimbabwe. This is not a new phenomena.”
And as for the social turmoil within Zimbabwe, Bvute said: “I think at the end of the day that’s a matter for the politicians to speak and decide on. We are not politicians and we are not qualified to speak on these issues.”
Zimbabwe, which effectively suspended itself from Test cricket because of a collapse in playing standards brought about by a race row over selection, remains an active one-day international side. They have long enjoyed the support of India, cricket’s financial powerhouse, and the Asian giant’s stance in Dubai is likely to be critical in shaping Zimbabwe’s immediate cricket future on the world stage.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and