Zero Tolerance of Racism in Cricket: Cricket Australia must take decisive action

Racism in sports in Australia is widespread; the Boxing Day racist taunts at the MCG ground are just another example. (A short clip is attached)? ?Like the Boxing Day ritual, the India-Australian match is also becoming a ground for an annual opportunity to show the ugly racist colours of a few Australians as well.

Every Boxing Day cricket game between India and Australia is also a field day for a few people to exhibit their racist colours. Racism in Australian cricket must be addressed squarely, and there should be zero tolerance for racism in cricket.

Instead of facing the scourge of racism in cricket, the MCG officials, Australian Cricket Association, and Victorian police decided to push the issue again under the ‘turf’.

The annual Boxing Day event, the India-Australia cricket match, is not just a sport. More than 370,000 people attended the match. It brings in several million dollars to the Victorian economy, and the bumper ticket sale of MCG also helps the bottom line of the Australian Cricket Association. The annual event contributes to the economy by creating jobs, generating revenue beyond sports, and promoting tourism. Overall, sports are a powerful tool for improving public health and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities.?

Incidentally, Indian consumers are the ones salvaging the Australian wine industry.

So, at least from a customer service point of view, all the spectators and the sportspeople must feel welcome and be allowed to enjoy the sports and must encourage cooperation between the two nations.

Again and again, MCG authorities and the Australian Cricket Association failed to provide a safe environment for the sports consumers’ Unfortunately, the Victorian police were mute spectators for this spectacle.? “Did not receive any complaint” is just a flimsy excuse.? In practical terms, the Victorian police condoned the racist behaviour of some of the spectators.

I experienced the intimidating environment at MCG, and the emotional and mental health burden of witnessing such a display of racist, aggressive behaviour is enormous. Such racist behaviours often spill over the streets, and the fear of violence is palpable.

Australian mainstream media also downplayed the incident, condoning the racist behaviour of some of the sports spectators.

Racism in sports is a public health challenge, and the public health burden should not be undermined.?Engaging in and being a spectator of sports can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It promotes mental well-being. However, for many who happened to be at the MCG on Boxing Day, it increased anxiety, stress, and depression.

?Racism in sports venues also undermines sports' social benefits. Sports encourage social connections and meaningful community engagement. They allow people to interact, build relationships, and develop a sense of belonging.

The Cricket Council's decision to appoint 50 multicultural ambassadors for Cricket Australia is meaningless when they are willing to tolerate the display of racial hatred at the cricket ground.

I would request all the cricket ambassadors to call the Australian Cricket Association to send a clear message that there is no place for racism in cricket, and those who make racial taunts will be legally dealt with and ejected from the spectator gallery. I hope the following Boxing Day test match will be an opportunity for all the spectators to enjoy the event without added anxiety, stress, and fear of violence.

?https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-09/mcg-boxing-day-test-australia-india-chant-video/104795666

? Cricket Australia Molina Asthana GAICD Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Ros Spence ?The Hon. Lisa Singh Michelle Wade Melanie Jones OAM, Giles Gunesekera OAM Sonia Sadiq Gandhi Kishwar Chowdhury Sheba Nandkeolyar Dipen Rughani GAICD Pawan Luthra Anupam Sharma Gitesh Agarwal Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM Nilesh Makwana David Talalla Johann Dias Jayasinha Gurnam Singh Anupam Sharma

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