Utseya levels racism charges against Campbell
harare: Zimbabwe off-spinner Prosper Utseya has claimed that he is a victim of racism and has levelled a string of allegations against former captain and ZC’s managing director Alistair Campbell. In a letter to Zimbabwe Cricket chairman, Wilson Manase, the 30-year-old spinner said Campbell has a “personal agenda against him which influenced his non-selection (in the playing XI) at the recent World Cup”. According to a report in ‘ESPNcricinfo.Com’, Utseya alleged that Campbell “appointed white coaches and administrators during his 2010-2012 stint as chairman of the cricket committee in order to take control of cricket”. “(Campbell) had a conflict of interest in setting up Dominus Sport, the company that ran ZC’s marketing affairs during his time as cricket committee chairman, and his actions had an impact on ZC’s funds,” Utseya said in the letter. Utseya confirmed that he had written the letter after the World Cup and prior to Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan. Campbell said he was unable to comment as the matter was pending either legal or internal disciplinary action.
SA bring Mandela spirit to young fans in Bangladesh
johannesburg: In a sporting gesture, the South African cricket team interacted with young patients at a hospital in Bangladesh on International Nelson Mandela Day during their ongoing tour of the country. The programme was organised by International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN). The youngsters from Chittagong Medical Hospital, all born with life-limiting conditions, were treated yesterday to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of spending the afternoon with the Proteas in celebration of Mandela Day, the Cricket South Africa said in a statement on Sunday. Mandela Day which was established in 2009 is a day set annually to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s humanitarian legacy and recognize the decades he spent fighting apartheid. Humility and compassion — keys traits of the former president — are the founding qualities the Proteas live by, Proteas assistant coach, Adrian Birrell said. “We knew that back home most South Africans would be spending 67 minutes doing good deeds in Nelson Mandela’s memory and we felt we wanted to share that Madiba legacy with the people of Chittagong,” Birrell said.
rahim seeks blessings for team’s success
chittagong: Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim greeted his countrymen after joining the Eid prayers and sought blessings to perform well in the forthcoming Test matches against South Africa. Mushfiqur along with other players Mahmudullah, Taijul Islam, South Africa skipper Hashim Amla with his team and officials of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) joined the Eid congregation at the Damparha Police lines Mosque here on Saturday, reports bdnews24.com. Returning to the hotel after prayers, Mushfiqur said he was celebrating Eid away from his parents for the first time while he was in the country. Only his wife, Jannatul Kefayat Mondy, was with him. “We performed well in the one-day series before Eid. We want to perform well in the Test series that follows Eid. We seek blessings of the people of the country,” he said. Mushfiqur greeted the people on the Eid. “Everyone remain safe and fine, wherever you are. Celebrate the Eid peacefully. Enjoy together.” The first of the two Test matches against South Africa will begin on Tuesday.