Comments: 21 

Posted by Dubby49 on (February 10 2008, 01:15 AM GMT)

60 years after India became a Republic, the constitutional provisions on "reservations" (quotas, transformation) meant to help the most deprived recover from millenia of subjugation continue in force. Originally meant for 25 years, they have been prolonged and extended and now cover as much as 69% of government jobs and places in educational institutions. This despite a Supreme Court ruling that reservations cannot exceed 50%. Only two institutions have been kept out of the ambit of reservations and in which merit is still the determining factor in selection and promotion. These are the Armed Forces and the sports teams. To date there is still no pressure from politicians to include a particular person in the cricket team on the basis of his caste. If CSA invested in training coloured cricketers rather than giving them a few places in the team irrespective of merit, they might one day have a winning team with 11 coloureds rather than a losing one with 7.

Posted by david_robbo on (February 09 2008, 10:49 AM GMT)

Rather then a quota system what SA need is a system put in place where team selections are scrutinized for fairness and objectivity. The best 11 players should be put on the field irrespective of skin. The current system seems to be doing more harm than good, consider for example why Kevin Pieterson is wearing an English cap instead of being SA's top batsman. How many more talented players will need to do the same as he did before CSA will learn. Further more, as long as this system continues all that is achieved is a shifting of the racist policies of the past. Can anybody explain why it is acceptable to tell a white player, "yes your one of the best 6 batsmen in the country but he is in because he is black and we have a quota to reach". Cricket South Africa can pretend to be fighting racism in this way, but until all players are treated equally and skin is irrelevant in selection, as it should be, they achieve nothing!

Posted by Mortie on (February 08 2008, 14:46 PM GMT)

This is all personal opinion based on perceptions of course.Thus qualified, it's sad to see how people who are employed above their competency levels tend to try to fix what isn't broken.Some leaders would rather have 100% of nothing than 30% of something that works properly.The perception derived is that Mr. Arendse appears to be more concerned with his personal agendas than the well-being of South African Cricket.Apart from the report on the selection debacle, witness his inappropriate broadcasting of family matters during the Pollock eulogy at the Wanderers over the weekend.For me, Mr. Arendse does not signal long term hope for the sustainability of South Africa as one of the great cricket playing nations. I am concerned that the paying public and the sponsors will ultimately fade away.

Posted by SH67 on (February 08 2008, 14:42 PM GMT)

I am amazed at the ICC and cricketing fraternity are even entertaining these racist policies is this day and age. "Quota System", "Transformation" are polite words to describe how selection of a team in South Africa is not based on merit but on skin colour. Pathetic. (Pretty much exactley why Mr. Pieterson is now playing for England). South Africa has been a democracy for 14 odd years now and i would like to know how much longer the CSA intends enforcing this selection policy. Must be quite slap in the face to other cricketing playing nations when South Africa dont respect you enough to send their strongest available team into combat.

Posted by no1fcf on (February 08 2008, 14:22 PM GMT)

The affirmative action quotas are focused on either cricket or rugby where the sides are deemed to be too white. Why have golf and swimming not been targeted as too white? I would like someone to tell me where are the people jumping up and down because the football team is too black. Mickey Arthur has done a great job in getting together a rainbow team based on merit. Mr Arendse's posturing for political gain will benefit no one, least of all the poor players who would be forced into the sides.

Posted by jbenja on (February 08 2008, 09:24 AM GMT)

This is ridiculous... Players should be selected on the basis of form and merit and not on the basis of skin color... I think all this stupid, good for nothing guys have been driving SA cricket to depths since the last 4-5 years... I dont think anyone can save that country in cricket... Soon South Africa would become another Zimbabwe

Posted by ruvvy on (February 08 2008, 07:25 AM GMT)

-Its dangerous route to take. There should be no other reason but ability for anything, but especially in sports. Just because the white regime kept the capable, Black & Coloured out doesn't necessarily mean, that it is now time for others to do it -These actions are just going to help the prevailing prejudice and biases to get stronger, even among those who support social engineering efforts, including myself -Politicians continue to screw-up -Statesmen like Mandela and Gandhi, never demanded a preferential right dominate, but an equal right to participate. But the subtlety is obviously beyond these administrators and politicians

Posted by Bala.p on (February 08 2008, 06:43 AM GMT)

It is indeed very sad that SA cricket had come down to this level. My personal opinion would be that - There is no substitute for talent. Quotas should be applied at lower levels. A national team should be built around talent and not quotas. Denying a talented player a spot on the national team just because a certain policy needs to be implemented amounts to discrimination.

Posted by ReggieAus on (February 08 2008, 06:04 AM GMT)

This is a joke. Basically CSA or Arendse are trying to force Arthur to pick 7 quotas so it looks like they are doing their job with development. Is their constitution not to give everyone equal opportunity? Invest money with the youth and give ALL children and cricketers the same opportunities and then the cream will rise to the top. If the top 11 are black then so be it. If the best elven are white then so be it. Everyone has been given equal opportunities and nothing builds national pride and a successful brand than winning. Every kid in SA black, white and coloured wanted to play rugby after the Springboks won the world cup. Their were people of all colours at the airport to welcome them back. Success breads success. Can you imagine being in the team knowing you don't have the backing of your team mates because you have been politically selected and they are hoping you will fail. YOU WILL FAIL. Please, politicians stay out of sport and put your money where your mouth is..DEVELOPMENT

Posted by Boelas on (February 08 2008, 05:35 AM GMT)

It is sad to see quality players like JP Dumminy, Hercelle Gibbs and Ntini "labbled" as quota players. I do not regard them as such but as quality international players who deserve their places on merit in the Protea side. Why do there always have to be a "colour" issue when selecting a team? The Proteas should be selected on merit only. There are quality players of colour coming through the ranks and deserve to play on merit and not because of "colour". I think it is a great shame that any player should be selected based on "colour" and not on merit. The players do not want to be seen or selected as the so called "quota players". Cricket SA has done much to improve the standard of cricket in the so-called previous disatvantaged areas and many players has climbed the ranks through these efforts and were granted opportunities to play for the Franchises. Players do not select themselves but are selected by the selectors. Prof B