South Africa Sports Minister Calls for Boycott of Afghanistan in Champions Trophy

McKenzie is an advocate for keeping Afghanistan out of global sports competitions because the country's leaders are violating human rights. Ever since the Taliban took over in August 2021, things have become very bad there. They're greatly reducing what women can do or learn, and people around the world are very angry about it.

McKenzie's remarks are in line with those of British politicians who have urged England to reconsider playing Afghanistan in the tournament. Both England and South Africa are placed in the same group as Afghanistan for the One Day International (ODI) competition. This grouping has amplified calls for both teams to withdraw from fixtures, as the international community pressures countries to take a stand against Afghanistan’s regressive policies towards women. The Champions Trophy, one of the premier events in international cricket, is set to begin next month in Pakistan. As the debate over the boycott continues to gather momentum, it remains to be seen whether other nations will follow suit, demanding action over Afghanistan’s controversial stance on women's rights.

South Africa's Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has expressed strong opposition to his country’s scheduled match against Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 21 in Karachi. McKenzie stated that while the final decision on whether to boycott the fixture lies with the cricketing authorities, he would personally advocate for a boycott if it were up to him.

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🚨 SPORTS MINISTER CALLS FOR BOYCOTT IN CT 2025. 🚨

- South African Sports Minister wants South Africa to boycott the match against Afghanistan to take a firm stand with women. pic.twitter.com/TYWh6ZAcw7

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 9, 2025

South Africa's Sports Minister Urges Boycott of Afghanistan in Champions Trophy Over Women's Rights

“It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen,” McKenzie said, underscoring his firm stance against Afghanistan's participation in the tournament. Both England and South Africa are placed in the same group as Afghanistan for the One Day International (ODI) competition, leading to growing pressure to withdraw from the fixtures in response to the Taliban government's harsh treatment of women's rights since they regained power in August 2021.

The South African team is set to face Afghanistan in their opening match of the Champions Trophy in Karachi on February 21. McKenzie, reflecting on South Africa's own history of Apartheid, further emphasized the moral dilemma at hand. “As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during Apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world,” he added

This call for action has been echoed by more than 160 British politicians, who have signed a cross-party letter urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott England’s fixture against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26. In response, ECB chief executive Richard Gould has called for a consistent, unified approach from all member nations regarding Afghanistan's involvement in international cricket. Australia is also scheduled to play Afghanistan on February 28 in Lahore. Cricket Australia had previously postponed a bilateral men’s T20 series against Afghanistan in March 2023, citing the deteriorating human rights situation for women and girls under Taliban rule. However, Cricket Australia did play Afghanistan in both the 2023 ICC Men's World Cup in India and the T20 World Cup in June. 

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird defended his organization’s stance last month, stating that they were "very proud of the position we’ve taken." Despite facing accusations of hypocrisy, he reiterated that they were standing by their decision to take a firm stand on the issue. As the Champions Trophy draws near, the debate over Afghanistan’s participation continues to intensify, with more nations being urged to make their stance clear on the matter.