CRICKETERS IN SCOTLAND CALLED ON TO SUPPORT ANTI-RACISM CAMPAIGN

CLUB cricketers in scotland are being urged to support a new anti-racism campaign which has been launched by the game’s authorities. Cricket scotland, sportscotland and campaign group Running Out Racism are asking players, volunteers and officials at grassroots level to get behind the new initiative. the campaign will see bat stickers sent to all five scottish regional cricket associations over the coming days. Regional associations are being asked to distribute these to their clubs and members and promote the campaign using #CallItOut on social media channels across the course of the season. the move comes amid the ongoing investigation into allegations of systemic and institutional racism within Cricket scotland. Former scotland bowler Majid Haq and team-mate Qasim sheikh called for an inquiry in November of last year after speaking out about what they felt was a widespread culture of racism. Haq had been sent home from the World Cup in 2015, tweeting: ‘Always tough when you are in the minority.’ He claims to have been victimised on the grounds of race. sportscotland subsequently commissioned an independent investigation into Cricket scotland, with several senior staff then leaving the organisation amid claims of a culture of ‘bullying’. In December, Cricket scotland then vowed to relax all Non-Disclosure Agreements to enable and empower a review into racism. Haq had been asked to sign one in 2016. Meanwhile, sheikh revealed that he had suffered abuse and depression after speaking out. Cricket scotland released Haq from the terms of his NDA. Haq’s lawyer, though, insisted that he was set to speak publicly about his ordeal, even if the NDA hadn’t been lifted. the efforts to reform the organisation are now continuing, with the authorities urging players across the country to back the new initiative. stewart Harris, chief executive

of sportscotland, said: ‘there should be no place for racism in cricket. ‘It is vital that we all stand together and make sure that we play our part in running out racism in the sport. I am sure that the cricket community will get behind this campaign and take a stand against racism.’ Interim chair of Cricket scotland, sue strachan, said: ‘Racism, discrimination and inequalities have no place within cricket in scotland and as an organisation we are committed to changing and improving to ensure this is stamped out.’ Paul Reddish from the Running Out Racism campaign said: ‘Racism has no place in cricket.’