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| April 5, 2003 | Saturday | Safar 2, 1424 |
Olonga has no regrets leaving Zimbabwe
MELBOURNE, April 4: Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga has said he has no regrets about his protests during the recent World Cup and added he hoped to return home when the political climate had changed. Olonga and team mate Andy Flower wore black armbands and wristbands “to mourn the death of democracy” in Zimbabwe’s first two Cup matches in February in Zimbabwe before being asked to stop by the international cricket authorities.
“Having received a few threatening emails towards the end of the World Cup...I just felt it probably wasn’t a good idea for me to go back to Zimbabwe,” Olonga said in an interview aired on Australia television on Friday.
“I don’t believe if you stand up for something that is right, that you can (have) regret...I’m just suffering the consequences at the moment,” added the cricketer who was described as hiding in a secret location in South Africa.
“I don’t think in a year, possibly, that the world can tolerate the type of leadership that we see in Zimbabwe. Six million people may be faced with starvation.
“I will try and get a work permit and see where I can fit and when things come right, I’ll go back.”
Olonga, a talented singer, said he had received offers of work in Britain.
“I think things are going to change (in Zimbabwe) and change quickly, and I’m looking forward to that,” said Olonga, the first black cricketer to represent Zimbabwe.—Reuters
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