'Racism is real': Daren Sammy urges cricket bosses to do better

Published September 10, 2020
Daren Sammy has been at the forefront of the anti-racism movement in cricket and wants those who run the game to do more. — AP/File
Daren Sammy has been at the forefront of the anti-racism movement in cricket and wants those who run the game to do more. — AP/File

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has urged cricket's governing bodies to treat racism more seriously and pay it the same attention they give to upholding the integrity of the game.

Athletes across the world have spoken out about racism in sport as part of the Black Lives Matter protests after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.

Sammy, who led West Indies to two Twenty20 World Cup titles, has been at the forefront of the movement in cricket and wants those who run the game to do more.

“We've made the recommendations. You know racism is real. It is not something that we can hide,” Sammy told Reuters from Trinidad, where he is playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

“So I urge them [to give racism] the same emphasis they put on protecting the integrity of the game. Why not protect the integrity of human beings?

“If you're able to raise awareness in the game, where every person, every human being is treated equally, regardless of the colour of their skin, I think that is the way the world should be.”

Sammy, who will lead the St Lucia Zouks in the CPL final against Trinbago Knight Riders later on Thursday, travels around the world with his former West Indies teammate Chris Gayle to play in numerous domestic tournaments as Twenty20 freelancers.

Both have complained about facing racial abuse in the past.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was slapped with a four-match ban last year for a racist remark aimed at South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo, while England's Black fast bowler Jofra Archer was abused on social media.

England joined West Indies in wearing “Black Lives Matter” logos on their shirts during their recent Test series and also took the knee as part of the protests against racism.

“It's amazing to see the lack of conversation in the cricket circle from certain parts of the world when it comes to social injustice and racism and all these things,” Sammy added.

“Yes we saw West Indies played England, so it was bound to happen, the show, the support for Black Lives Matter. But what about the other boards? What about the other territories? I have not heard a statement from a few of the other boards.

“If you do care about the integrity of the game and don't take a stance against racism, or social injustice against people of colour, then to me you're really not doing your job.”

Sammy caused a stir when he made an allegation of racism against his former Sunrisers Hyderabad teammates over a Hindi nickname he was given when he was part of the Indian Premier League franchise from 2013-14.

The West Indies cricketer later accepted a former teammate's explanation and now hopes the issue can be used to educate players about racism.

“My focus now is to educate people on certain slurs that is inappropriate to people of colour,” said Sammy, who felt his T20-related travel had helped him better understand the culture and different backgrounds of players across the world.

“That's where I will always use my voice to advocate change for the better.”

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...