WPCA concerned with Newlands ODI religious clash
The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) has expressed its firm commitment to request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) via the national body, Cricket South Africa (CSA), that international fixtures like the fifth One Day International at Newlands on 12th October should not be hosted on dates clashing with important dates on religious calendars.
“As
Western Province, we are very respectful of every religious community in South
Africa, and many of our passionate fans at PPC Newlands have been avid followers
of the Jewish faith,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the WPCA.
“We are aware that Yom Kippur is the most important day on the Hebrew calendar and clashes with the fifth One Day International hosted at PPC Newlands on 12th October.
“We have written to CSA and have raised our concerns about hosting the match on the most important day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur (the day of atonement, which starts on 11th October and ends on the evening of 12th October),” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the WPCA.
“Unfortunately, as an affiliate, the international itinerary is out of our control, but we have expressed our feelings to the national body. CSA will communicate our concerns about the date to the ICC, requesting that a possible oversight like that should not be repeated.
“As WPCA, we treasure the peaceful co-existence and religious harmony of Jewish South Africans, Christians, Muslims and followers of other religious convictions.
"We are determined to respect the sacred space of every religious community. Consequently, we have raised our concerns with the national body,” Dien added.
“We would like to wish our Jewish cricket fans a blessed Yom Kippur and want to ensure them that we will do everything in our power to prevent a repeat of what is occurring on 12th October,” Dien added.