Quotas: SA cricket nays and yays
DEBATE: SOME TOP SPORTSMEN FEEL ‘BROKEN DOWN’, FOR OTHERS IT’S A SHORT-TERM ANSWER
The thesis of
honorary researcher at the University of Cape Town, explored the opinions of 43 SA professional cricketers and 16 coaches and administrators on quota systems in sport.
Racial quotas in South African sport have been an emotive debate for 20 years. The arguments for and against are usually based on limited, subjective evidence. And the voices of the players affected by quotas are rarely considered.
Cricket was the first sport to be prescriptives. SA Rugby had an agreement with the government that half the players at the 2019 Rugby World Cup should be black.
My research was conducted during the third season the quotas had been in place.
Differing views
A number of the people thought they had been disadvantaged by the quota system. For example, some black players highlighted the negative psychological impact of being viewed as “quota” players, irrespective of ability.
As one former national player put it: “It’s like all these people saying you not good enough we dropping you, you always take the fall. So mentally that is a lot to take in and it breaks you down.”
Former opening bowler Makhaya Ntini has been quoted as saying: “Nobody would be happy if they thought they were picked because of their colour.”
But a number of people were in favour of using quotas to change the ethnic dynamics of SA cricket. Some argued the major benefit was to increase access to opportunities for those previously excluded by law, outdated mindsets, prejudices, socio-economic and educational circumstances.
As one player put it: “I think it was a great initiative, giving the opportunities to the African/ black players.”
This need for opportunities has been echoed in the past few weeks 2019 Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi.
On the Springbok team’s nationwide tour to show off the World Cup, the star player spoke of the opportunities he and other players had been given to play.
He encouraged young players to continue to dream and believe in themselves so they would be ready when opportunities arose.
But most players argued that the quota system provided only a short-term solution.
To quote one black African cricket participant: “It will provide you with short-term solutions ... you will see three black African cricketers and that all looks good, but whether you are developing them for the next five or 10 years; I don’t think it’s the most effective solution.”
Solutions
A report on racial transformation in SA sport in 2013 found that over-simplistic quick fixes ignored the need for a multi-dimensional approach to transformation.
CSA has recognised this, too, arguing the need to address transformation requires dynamic interventions as well as “deep-seated” changes in the mindsets of all stakeholders.
Developing talent at grassroots level is another area of agreement. The lack of long-term player development from grassroots to senior levels has resulted in a dearth of tactically experienced black professional cricketers.
Contributing factors include a lack of quality coaching and access to facilities and equipment.
As one participant said: “Quotas allow administrators to avoid doing proper development.”
Lessons for other sports
The very narrow focus of quotas and targets won’t address the multidimensional nature of talent development.
Quotas don’t address the wider socio-economic inequities that continue to plague South Africa. Inequities include high levels of poverty, poor schooling and limited sporting facilities.
Furthermore, differing family structures, for example a high number of single-parent families, make it difficult for some parents to support players financially and logistically.
And gangsterism, HIV/Aids, widespread rape and murder, and unsafe living environments in many black communities were highlighted.
To achieve lasting sporting transformation, there need to
be integrated interventions at multiple levels of society by all stakeholders working together. This includes government, communities, sporting organisations, schools, clubs, families, teams, coaches and players.
Republished from The Conversation.