South Africa bowler Lungi Ngidi on Thursday voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
Cricket SA (CSA) had not voiced their support on BLM by mid-afternoon on Thursday, Ngidi was quick to throw his star power behind the cause.
“It is beautiful to see every sporting code showing their support to the Black Lives Matter movement. I saw the West Indies had black gloves on,” said Ngidi referring to the first Test between hosts England and the West Indies which began in Hampshire on Wednesday.
Sporting codes around the world have backed the BLM movement, including the English Premier League.
“It makes you emotional. It has been a very rough year. People are finally speaking out and it means a lot just to see the cricketing world step in, it is inspiring,” added Ngidi.
Not all agree with Ngidi, as former SA cricketers Pat Symcox and Boeta Dippenaar have criticised the statements of the 24-year-old talent.
Dippenaar, responded “all lives matter” showing his lack of understanding about BLM.
BLM became a global focus, sparking protests, following the brutal killing of George Floyd while under arrest by police officers in Minnesota on May 25.
CSA on Thursday evening finally issued a statement with acting chief executive Jacques Faul saying: “Black Lives Matter. It is as simple as that.
As a national sporting body representing more than 56 million South Africans and with the privileged position of owning a platform as large as we do, it is of vital importance that we use our voice to educate and listen to others on topics involving all forms of discrimination.
“During our celebrations of Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July, CSA will further spread the message of anti-racism through the BLM campaign while we also speak out against all forms of violence and in particular, the scourge that is Gender-Based Violence and various other causes that are of importance to our society and the organisation.”
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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