OUTGOING Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) team coach Alan Butcher has expressed his concern over the recent furore concerning the Sports Commission (SRC)’s directive on the appointment of selectors which has led to racism allegations in local cricket.
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The amended directive took effect yesterday. ZC has rejected the order, saying it violates its constitution. In an apparent reference on the matter on his Facebook page, Butcher said he “was sick at heart with what’s going on in Zimbabwe Cricket”.
“To all my cricket friends out there . . . teammates, colleagues, former opponents all over the world, I’m sick at heart with what’s going on in Zimbabwe Cricket right now and hope you all know that I would never be party to selection according to the colour of someone’s skin. How could I look my kids in the eye if they thought I was capable of that?” read Butcher’s post.
The 58-year-old Englishman, who will step down when his contract expires after the upcoming tour of the Caribbean, could however, not be reached for comment to clarify the context of his statement.
Butcher’s comments come a few days after ZC chairman Peter Chingoka claimed that racism remains a major problem in the sport and called for a stakeholders’ conference to discuss the situation after the tour of the Caribbean.
“There have been reports of black and white players using separate buses on senior team tours,” he said.
“Our domestic leagues have not been spared either, as there has been a marked increase in the number of disciplinary hearings initiated by allegations of racism,” Chingoka said.
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“In view of the unfolding media debate and the unacceptable incidents referred to above, it would appear that there is still some progress to be made in addressing the imbalances of the past and reintegrating the sport to accommodate all Zimbabweans, regardless of colour, social background or gender.
“Cricket is a game for all and we have no reservations in saying that discrimination, where it is proved to exist and whether brought about intentionally or as a result of other factors, should not be tolerated in any way or form.”
In recent weeks there has also been a standoff between ZC, convenor of selectors Givemore Makoni and the SRC over who should be eligible to be a national selector, forcing an amendment to the directive.
