UK plot to ban Zim sportspersons exposed

BBC (05/03/08)

THE desperate British government’s relentless battle to effect regime change in Zimbabwe has taken a dramatic twist amid revelations that it intends to ban all Zimbabwean sportspersons from competing in the United Kingdom.

The plot is part of the British government’s grand plan to exert pressure on Zimbabweans in the countdown to the harmonised elections on March 29.

The Minister of Information and Publicity, Cde Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, told the BBC that any ban of all Zimbabwean sporting competitors from the UK would be "racist" and "madness".

"I don’t think the British government will sink so low as to implement that — and if they do, well, we are appealing to the world community to express their concern and urge the British to stop that madness," he said.

The intended ban on Zimbabwean sports teams and sportspersons from competing in the UK will affect such high-profile athletes like tennis player Cara Black and swimming champion Kirsty Coventry.

Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari — who plays for English Premiership soccer side Manchester City — could also be forced to take his services elsewhere in Europe.

The proposed ban has been slammed by many Zimbabweans who jammed Internet sites yesterday with messages critical of both the move and the British government.

"Sometimes I feel cheap living here, dealing with the hypocrites, living a lie, watching them destroy people’s lives in Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq and supporting Israel destroy the Palestinians," a Zimbabwean based in the UK wrote on one website debating the proposal.

"One wonders, can we ever co-habit or we are like oil and water?"

They also criticised former Zimbabwe cricket team paceman Henry Olonga — who has been granted asylum in the UK — who provided the sole voice in support of the proposed ban.

"Why not cancel visas for all Zimbabweans then — nurses, doctors, teachers, engineers etc?" argued another post on a website.

"Iri dununu rinonzi Henry Olonga ndiro riri kusupporta zvinhu zvakadai. Akutopenga manje Olonga."

The Kenya-born Olonga came out in full support of the proposed move in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It’s great to see that (British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown is taking a much stronger stance than his predecessor," he said.

BBC’s Inside Sport programme revealed on Monday night that it had learnt that the proposed ban was one option being discussed to prevent Zimbabwe’s cricket team touring England next year.

Brown’s spokesman said their government has no plans for a blanket ban on sportsmen from Zimbabwe.

The spokesman said Downing Street had been "surprised" by the BBC report suggesting that Britain was considering a ban in a bid to step up the pressure on Zimbabwe.

The denial suggests the BBC could have been trying to ratchet up pressure against Zimbabwe. Cricket chiefs have warned that England could lose the rights to host the 2009 World Twenty20 cricket tournament if Zimbabwe are banned.

Denying visas to all Zimbabwe sportspersons would be a highly controversial decision. It means Cara Black would not defend her Wimbledon women’s doubles title, Olympic swimming champion Coventry would not be able to enter the UK and golfer Nick Price would be unable to play in the British Open.

Manchester City striker Benjani would also be affected by any blanket ban.

There could also be a knock-on effect for England’s soccer World Cup bid for 2018. There would be no issue with the 2012 Olympics, as the government has already had to sign the host city contract that guarantees entry into the country for anybody with International Olympic Committee accreditation. — Herald Reporter-BBC Sport Online.