By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has expressed “regret” over the timing of their kneeling directive that they handed out to the Proteas on the morning of their match against the West Indies.
CSA issued a statement on Thursday following Quinton de Kock’s apology for pulling out of the T20 World Cup game against the Windies after being told at the last minute they had to take a knee before play.
“I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home,” he said. “I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue. I understand the importance of standing against racism and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example.
“If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so,”De Kock added.
De Kock went on to explain that some of his family members are non-white, but he felt his own “rights” were taken away by CSA’s order that was disclosed to him on the morning of the opening game.
“I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused,”he added. “For those who don’t know, I come from a mixed-race family. For me, black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement.
The organization acknowledged that the timing of its release “may have been unsettling for the players in the lead-up to the match against the West Indies”.
On Wednesday night CSA board chairperson Lawson Naidoo and two directors met with the Proteas team management and players to iron out tensions regarding the taking of the knee directive.
The board welcomed De Kock’s apology and agreement to kneel with his team-mates should he be selected for the upcoming clash with Sri Lanka on Saturday as expected.
“The CSA Board regrets that the timing of its directive earlier this week may have been unsettling for the players in the lead-up to the match against the West Indies,” the CSA statement said.
The board was criticised by many for waiting until South Africa entered a major tournament before taking a decisive step.
However, acting CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki said the board decision was company policy and would not be amended for any player.
Read the full CSA statement below:
Last night, the Cricket South Africa Board Chair and two directors met with the men’s Proteas team and management to discuss the Board’s directive regarding “taking the knee”.
The Board representatives clarified the Board position and engaged with the issues raised by the players. Following the meeting, the Proteas men’s team agreed to align and unify in taking the knee for the remaining fixtures of the World Cup campaign.
CSA has also noted the statement issued by Quinton de Kock in which he too has agreed to take the knee and issued an apology.
Cricket South Africa welcomes all of these developments. They confirm Cricket South Africa’s commitment to non-racism. Taking a united stance against racism is a moral issue, not a political issue.
The CSA Board regrets that the timing of its directive earlier this week may have been unsettling for the players in the lead-up to the match against the West Indies.
The CSA is fully supportive of the Protea Men’s team and its captain Temba Bavuma and looks forward to continued successes by the Proteas at the World Cup.