CAPETOWN – The South African Cricket Board has ousted David Teeger the captain of Under-19 World Cup team, due to his outspoken support for Israel.
Teeger who had previously been nominated for an awards last year in October, made headlines by dedicating the award to Jewish soldiers in Israel.
The decisive action from the cricket board followed Teeger’s recent tweet expressing solidarity with Israeli forces. Citing concerns about potential protests and tournament-related risks, the official announcement of Teeger’s removal came on Friday.
The decision allows Teeger to remain part of the team as a player leaving the position of Under-19 captaincy pending a later decision.
The move comes amidst rising tensions regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza leading to speculations of protests during the Under-19 World Cup set to commence in South Africa on January 19.
The reports from foreign media outlets suggest the possibility of demonstrations during the tournament.
In a broader geopolitical context, South Africa has taken a significant step by filing a case in the International Court of Justice against Israeli aggression in Palestine. This move has earned praise from the nation’s Prime Minister, highlighting the multifaceted impact of the decision beyond the cricketing sphere.
It may be mentioned here that Under-19 Cricket World Cup is scheduled to take place in South Africa from January 19 onwards, with Pakistan’s Under-19 team already en route to participate in the tournament. The incident surrounding Teeger adds an unexpected layer of controversy to the upcoming sporting event.
