Terrorism and Cricket.

Sporting and cultural isolation played a crucial role in bringing down apartheid in South Africa. South Africa was barred from 1964/68 Olympics, many great players including the likes of Don Bradman refused to play there, and no counties (except Margaret Thatcher’s England) toured there.

In today’s context, India follows the same “cut sporting tie” policy with at-least two nations. “Obviously” Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka. Recently, Jayalalitha declared that she would not allow Sri Lankan players to play in Tamil Nadu unless the Indian government acts tough towards the Sri Lankan government/Sinhalese reduces the atrocities committed towards Tamils.

It is unfair to compare the two policies – the one adopted towards South Africa, and the one adopted towards Sri Lanka/Pakistan because of many reasons. South Africa was a sports crazy nation, and isolation from sports will naturally trigger emotion and policy change there. South African players also practiced apartheid. There were many instances where the players openly spoke asserting their “superiority” against the so-called “black”.  Also, United Nations was not really capable of bringing significant restrictions/bans at that time, as it was only in its budding stage then. 

On the other hand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, as we all know, are not countries where the foreign policy is controlled by the sports ministry. No decision will be taken by the Sri Lankan government just because a state in India barred its players from playing there. Especially, when they have faced more serious bans, tougher ones, and are on the verge of an UN isolation resolution. More than anything, it is unfair to treat the players the way they are treated now. It is silly to think that Jayawardane and co. practice racism when their greatest and most loved player- Muralitharan is from the “opposite” race.

Immediately after Jayalalitha's declaration, the IPL committee barred Sri Lankans from playing in Tamil Nadu. The decision could have gone 2 ways – remove Chennai from the venue list, or bar Sri Lankans from playing there. The IPL committee went with the easier and financially viable option. For them, it is just a matter of business and money. Shifting venue at the last moment would involve lots of trouble, and cost. Moreover, Chennai is one place where the venue is always full. So, why take all the trouble just to end up losing money? It is this decision that will definitely have larger, long-term repercussions. The decision when you end up choosing wrong over right, bending all sorts of laws, twisting the truth based on materialistic factors like ease and money will definitely stand as a motivator for many. After all, negativity is easily imparted.

In fact, the story ends up like we are the ones practicing racism. By refusing players of a particular country to play in one place, we are the ones encouraging a difference. There was a time when sports brought people together, not anymore, now it is a sheer device for promoting nationalism and jingoism.