Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his disappointment after a damning report highlighted issues of discrimination within the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Sunak, who is an avid cricket fan, stated that reading about the discrimination within a sport he loves was difficult. He commended the ECB for commissioning the report and taking a proactive approach to addressing the problems. The report made 44 recommendations, including an unreserved public apology from the ECB, which was delivered by ECB Chair Richard Thompson. Sunak has spoken to the ECB team and believes they are committed to fixing the problems and creating a more inclusive environment in cricket.
The report, known as the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), was established by the ECB in March 2021 as a response to global movements like Black Lives Matter and Me Too. It highlighted issues such as the lack of cricket in state schools, elitism, and class-based discrimination. The report suggested that the talent pathway in cricket, which is aligned with private schools, contributes to these problems.
Sunak praised the African Caribbean Engagement Programme (ACE), which aims to bring young people from diverse communities into the game. When asked about bringing cricket back to state schools, Sunak mentioned that the government has invested £600 million in school sports. While the government does not dictate which sports schools should play, they support campaigns to ensure equal access to sports for all genders and minimum sport requirements for schools.
Sunak also reflected on his own experiences with cricket, mentioning that he personally hadn’t encountered racism within the game but had experienced it in wider society. He believes that as a country, there has been incredible progress in addressing these issues.
The Prime Minister pledged to monitor the ECB’s response to the report in the coming months and emphasized the importance of making cricket inclusive and open to everyone. He expressed his hope that cricket can become a sport where individuals from all backgrounds feel respected and supported.
Overall, the Prime Minister’s comments reflect a commitment to addressing the discrimination highlighted in the report and supporting efforts to make cricket more inclusive. His involvement and monitoring of the ECB’s response indicate a desire for accountability and positive change within the sport.
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