Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
28 November 2023 | 13:28 CAT

Image: TimesLIVE

The Palestine Solidarity Alliance and the Abu Asvat Institute for Nation Building have laid an official complaint at Sascoc, Cricket South Africa and Gauteng Lions Cricket against the head boy at posh Gauteng school King Edward VII and national UNDER-19 cricket captain David Teeger for pro-Israel comments.

Receiving the Rising Star accolade at the Absa Jewish Achiever awards last month, Teeger dedicated his prize to the Israel Defence Forces soldiers.

“Yes, I’ve been [given] this award, and yes, I’m now the Rising Star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel,” said Teeger.

The CSA board resolved to assign an independent inquiry to be adjudicated by advocate Wim Trengove to investigate further.

However, PSA says as a national captain, Teeger’s callous and prejudiced comments contradict SA’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The PSA is calling for Teeger’s suspension before next year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup to be played in South Africa.

According to the alliance, his comments were “a provocative and inflammatory political statement”.

“Teegers comments in celebrating war crimes committed in Gaza and honouring the soldiers in the IDF are deeply hurtful to many people within the cricket fraternity and South Africa as well,” said the PSA’s Nazeem Adam.

Adam said the comment undermines the unity cricket wants to propose and that South Africa would like to develop.

The Sports Body in South Africa holds international sports accountable, as South Africa was isolated during apartheid. Recently, the same has been done to Russia.

Meanwhile, Adam raises concerns, “Our Sports Bodies are arrogant and accepting of the behaviour which celebrate the atrocities committed by the Israel Occupying Force.”

CSA says the inquiry will be conducted swiftly, and Trengove’s decision and reasons will be made public.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.