MP accuses cricket club of not giving Asian children fair chances

A WELSH MP has accused Glamorgan Cricket Club of not giving children from Asian backgrounds the same chances as other children.

Heads of cricket clubs were giving evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee in Westminster.

Chairman of Glamorgan County Cricket Club Gareth Williams was one of the witnesses, along with Rod Bransgrove, chairman of Hampshire County Cricket Club; Mike O’Farrell, chairman of Middlesex County Cricket Club; and Lord Patel of Bradford, chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

They were appearing in front of MPs in the wake of the racism scandal which rocked the sport.

Mr Williams was asked by Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan about allegations of racism, and the numbers of players from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Mr Brennan said the club’s headquarters was “a stone’s throw from Wales’ most diverse area”.

Mr Williams said around 10% of the squad were from Wales and an ethnically diverse background who have played at the top level. He named two players, Kiran Carlson and Prem Sisodiya.

Mr Brennan said it had been put to him they were the only first-team players, to which Mr Williams said he “doubted” that was the case.

Mr Brennan asked: “Do you think there has been a problem historically, that players from ethnic minority backgrounds from Wales are not coming through to some level because you only have to look around the playing-fields of Cardiff to see how many cricket-mad South Asian people there are?”

Mr Williams replied: “You’re quite right. Historically, there has been a big issue, but this is a project for us. It’s been ongoing. We know that, historically, there have been significant issues. We’re working extraordinarily hard and I would not wish to leave those volunteers who are working at this to be hugely dispirited and perhaps giving a wrong impression of a club which is trying its very best.”

Mr Brennan asked why players have not come through at the top level.

Mr Williams responded: “I have absolutely no doubt, historically, there have been issues of racism in the sport, generally and no doubt in Glamorgan in particular.

“That must be the case because the figures simply demonstrate that to be the case. I’m satisfied it’s not the position now.”