Does politics mix with sports? Of course it does. England cancelled their South Africa tour due to SA refusing a man of African origin – Basil Oliveria from appearing for England. SA was suspended from the ICC for 21 years for its policy on apartheid. India refused to play SA in the Davis Cup final because of SA’s apartheid policies thereby letting go one of its only chances to win the ultimate team prize in Tennis. Zia and Rajiv Gandhi engaged in Cricket diplomacy to build bridges. Australia threatened to pull out of the Commonwealth realm and become a republic at the height of Bodyline. The following is perhaps the most iconic of images where Sport mixes with Politics –
Two African American athletes standing on the Olympic podium giving the Black salute showing their support for the Civil Rights Movement demanding equal rights for African Americans. The Aussie silver medalist wore an “Olympic Project for Human Rights” badge to show his support to his fellow medal winners. So yes – politics often mixes with sport.
So did politics mix with sport in the case of the IPL auction? Hell, yes. But did you actually expect anything else? Let’s admit it – Afridi as a T20 player is a better buy than Damien Martyn or even Mohammed Kaif – both whom were bid for. In my opinion it was extremely naïve of the Indian Govt. to agree to let the Pakistani players be part of the auction – but in a free market economy – under what criteria could they have refused? So this ostrich put its head in the sand and let the auction go on. The IPL commissioner is known to be a smart cookie – but what was he thinking when the base price for Afridi was set as the highest in the auction? My guess is – he assumed that someone would bid for some player – and if they did not – oh well, what could he possibly do? It’s a free market. The ostrich washed its hand off the whole thing. The people who own the IPL teams are astute businessmen and women and not tree-hugging Aman ki Asha types. If some right wing loonies did something due to the presence of Paki players; it would be skin off their noses and not anyone else’s. So can anyone actually blame them for NOT bidding? But the “Ostrich with its Head Deepest in the Sand” must go the Pakistani Cricket board. Err – did they actually expect someone to bid for their players in the currently charged political climate? Put yourself in their shoes – would you not see it coming?
