BOMBAY, 18 June 2004 — The Euro 2004 appears to have overshadowed every other sporting event or happening in the world. Why should a mere continental event command such prominent patronage or global attention. The reason is that the event happens to be soccer, the world’s most popular game. Then, it is Europe where you have the best grounds and an organization that beats all. A more weighty reason is that European soccer is so rich that it attracts the best players in the world.

In India, the craze for Euro 2004 is as big as it used to be for the World Cup, of both football and cricket. The same may be the case, perhaps, in other countries as well. For once some of the noticeable, if not great, cricket happenings were given the go by for the sake of soccer in Europe. England’s series victory over New Zealand, in as emphatic a manner as has rarely been seen in recent years, did not lead to any great rejoicing because the mourning over the loss to France in Euro 2004 spoilt the national mood.

In India, the arrival of the Olympic flame, only second time in history, brought up mixed reaction. More people were angry than happy at the way the whole ceremony was organized. Some of the legendary sportspersons were forgotten and the prime honor of carrying the flame in a relay was bestowed on film stars. This was the handiwork of the two main sponsors of the event. The former sports greats felt that it may be right to commercial sports, but certainly not its ultimate pride and honor.

Be that as it may, another important turn of event that was buried under all the hype that was created by Euro 2004, was the unhappy conclusion of the internal fight in Zimbabwe’s cricket. In a rare move, the International Cricket Council stopped Zimbabwe from playing Test cricket until the end of the year. The decision leaves the future of Zimbabwe cricket is some doubt. What had happened many years ago in South Africa is taking place in Zimbabwe presently. It is racism in reverse gear. The entire western world is against the present Robert Mugabe regime, which they dub as illegitimate, as the former president, according to them, has usurped power after the general elections were held in the country.

One is not fully aware of the political situation in that country, but the trouble in their cricket started at the time of the World Cup last year, when Zimbabwe were a part host along with South Africa and Kenya.

England refused to play their match in Zimbabwe and this cost them dearly, as they failed to qualify for the second stage. Two Zimbabwe players wore black bands in protest against their own regime and eventually left the country. As if that wasn’t bad enough, most of the white players, led by their skipper Heath Streak, suddenly withdrew from the team during their series against Sri Lanka. Then Australia declined to play Test matches in Zimbabwe and reluctantly agreed to go through a few one-dayers.

The International Cricket Council was not going to be a mere spectator to these developments, as England dithered over their impending tour of Zimbabwe. A complete ban in the nature of what was imposed on South Africa in 1970 and which lasted for 22 years, was perhaps in the offing in the case of Zimbabwe as well. But the representatives of India and Pakistan intervened in Zimbabwe’s favor and the restriction eventually was imposed on Test cricket and that too only till the end of the year.

One cannot equate the cases of South Africa and Zimbabwe. South Africa were banned when they refused to allow a colored player to be a member of England’s touring side. England decided to cancel the tour (in 1968-69) than drop Basil D’Oliveira (of West Indian origin). ICC were forced to ban South Africa from international cricket.

So the ban was welcomed by the other ICC members. It was only after a change of regime in that country and the dropping of apartheid as a state policy was the ban lifted and South Africa became a full member of ICC and now have sporting contacts with the entire world.

What is happening in Zimbabwe is a movement to create an atmosphere to give the natives enough opportunity to represent the country. The white settlers are not taking kindly to this move and the whole bunch of them have refused to play for Zimbabwe. It is a painful transition and will take some time for the country to achieve its ultimate goal. Something similar is happening in South Africa and the selection of non-white players is causing heartburns. It was for this very reason that Shaun Pollock gave up the captaincy.

It would be sad if Zimbabwe is victimized on account of the prevailing politics of the country. Cricket has given the former southern African nation, Southern Rhodesia, a distinctive identity. Their ambition of having a representative native team must be allowed to grow and not suppressed. The West Indies have gone through these pangs and so is South Africa, though ever so slowly. Must Zimbabwe be treated differently.