The South African cricket team responds to the Sports Minister’s call to boycott Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Cup

Cricket South Africa (CSA) He issued an official statement after a call from the Minister of Sports Guyton Mackenzie To boycott their next match against Afghanistan ICC Champions Cup 2025. The Minister’s call comes in response to the ongoing suppression of women’s rights by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a controversial issue that has sparked controversy within the cricket community globally.

The position of the South African Minister of Sports on Afghanistan

Minister McKenzie expressed strong ethical reservations about playing against Afghanistan in parallel with South Africa’s history of apartheid, stating his stance against discrimination in sport. He stressed the hypocrisy of ignoring the plight of Afghan women while denouncing the similar injustices faced by South Africans during apartheid.

“As a man of a race that was not allowed equal opportunities to play sport during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done to women anywhere in the world.” McKenzie said as quoted by TOI.

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CSA responds to the Minister’s call to boycott Afghanistan

In response, the CSA explained that while it acknowledged the abhorrent treatment of women in Afghanistan, the decision regarding whether to participate in the Champions Cup rested with UEFA. International Cricket Council (ICC).

“The CSA finds the treatment and suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan abhorrent and firmly believes that women’s cricket deserves equal recognition and resources.” Since the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, the position on Afghanistan should be guided by the world organization in accordance with the requirements and regulations for participation in the international tournament. CSA reported.

It is worth noting that the controversy surrounding the boycott of Afghanistan in international cricket is not new. earlier, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) They faced similar calls from politicians in the UK, where more than 160 people signed a letter urging England to boycott their match in support of women’s rights in Afghanistan. However, The European Central Bank chose not to boycottcalling instead for a coordinated approach at the ICC level to address this issue more effectively.