Pretoria, South Africa — South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has publicly endorsed the growing calls for the national cricket team, the Proteas, to boycott their upcoming match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 21, 2024. This stance comes in response to Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which has implemented severe restrictions on women's sports, effectively disbanding the national women's cricket team.

In a statement released on Thursday, McKenzie articulated his moral obligation to support the boycott, emphasizing that the world of cricket must not ignore the ongoing oppression faced by women in Afghanistan. “As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world,” McKenzie remarked, highlighting the deep historical context of inequality within sports.

The call for the boycott is not isolated, as over 160 British politicians have also urged England to withdraw from their match against Afghanistan, which is set for February 26 in Lahore, Pakistan. McKenzie urged the Cricket South Africa governing body to consider the implications of proceeding with the match, stating, “Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries, and the ICC (International Cricket Council) will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, especially to women in sports” (Reuters).

In a landscape where political interference is a hot-button issue, McKenzie criticized the ICC for not maintaining its stance regarding member nations' development of both men’s and women’s cricket. He drew comparisons to Sri Lanka Cricket, which faced suspension due to government interference, suggesting that similar measures should apply in the case of Afghanistan. “This does not happen in the case of Afghanistan, suggesting that political interference in the administration of sport is being tolerated there,” he stated, further urging the cricket community to stand in solidarity with Afghan women (AP News).

Various cricket boards, including Australia, have had conflicting positions on engaging with Afghanistan due to their government's human rights record. Despite postponing a previous series scheduled against the Afghan team, Australia still played against them in the World Cup in 2023.

Overall, McKenzie’s push for a boycott highlights broader concerns regarding the ethical responsibilities of sports entities in addressing human rights violations globally.