Zimbabwe cricketer Prosper Utseya has written a lengthy letter to the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), Wilson Manase, claiming that he has been a victim of racism. The letter states many racial allegations against Alistair Campbell, who was in January 2015 appointed the Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket. Utseya was a part of Zimbabwe’s squad in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, but did not get a chance to play in any game.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Utseya has alleged that Campbell has a personal agenda against him, and due to which he was not included in any of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 matches. Utseya has alleged that Campbell “appointed white coaches and administrators during his 2010-2012 stint as chairman of the cricket committee in order to take control of cricket.”
Also among the allegations is the one wherein Utseya claims Campbell has a conflict of interest in setting up Dominus Sport, the firm that manages the marketing affairs of the country’s cricket board. Utseya has claimed that Campbell’s actions had direct impact on the funds of Zimbabwe Cricket. The cricket board is reportedly investigating the letter, and the cricket said he will be open for any legal action.
The letter reads, “Through you Mr. Chairman I wish to share my frustrations as I believe I am a victim of racism and have come to a point where I feel I have been quiet for too long whilst a lot has been happening.”
Utseya was banned from bowling by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2014, but the cricketer in his letter has promised that he will work hard to bounce back strongly.
“Bearing in mind I still have an opportunity at 30 years old to work on my off spin. If I can reinvent in 2 months and make it Man of the Series in my comeback series with my new bowling action I reckon within 4 months I will be brilliant and what more in a year’s time I will be an artist at work. ICC can take away my offspin but they cannot take away my brains and experience which must count for something,” he wrote.
“It is my humble wish that if Alistair Campbell can suggest that at 30 years old I can be involved in Franchise coaching and if the ZC Board also agrees with him in that I am not adding value as a player with my new bowling action I would like to go 2 steps further than his suggestion and put my hand up for consideration for the proposed split post as I have the credentials,” Utseya added.
