1.
CU Rashid Varachia, new president of multiracial South African Cricket Union speaking in English. (3 shots)
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In 1970, Prime Minister John vorster refused entry to an English touring side that included Basil D'Oliveira, a coloured South African who left his country because he was unable to gain test selection in South Africa. The MCC, the controlling body in England, cancelled the tour and was widely supported by all other countries belonging to the ICC. D'Oliveira enjoyed a distinctive career in county and international cricket as an all rounder.



VARACHIA: "I think cricketers of all colours are now in position to gain Springbok colours, or South African colours as it were, on merit. There is no stopping them from winning the highest honour for their country."



VAN NIEKERA: "Mr. Varachia, do you think this union will be able to get South Africa back into international cricket?"



VARACHIA: "Well, perhaps not tomorrow or the next day as it were but certainly we would welcome that direction after we have done some homework which we have to do on the local scene and I'm confident that in two months we will attain our objective and once that has been accomplished we will put into operation that machinery which will definitely take us back to the International Cricket Conference because by then we would have definitely met with the requirements that have been asked by us in 1970 by the International Cricket Conference."




Initials VS 17.00


SPORT: CRICKET

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The South African Cricket Union has elected its first president, Rashid Varachia, a 62-year-old Indian. Mr. Varachia won the leadership of the new, multi-racial cricket control body at a meeting held in the Wanderers Club on sunday (18 September). It's reported he was supported unanimously by white, black and Indian officials. The decision could strengthen South Africa's case for returning to the international Test arena, from which it has been banned or racial grounds for the last seven years. Mr. Varachia talked to Jan van Niekerk of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.