Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has launched a protest T-shirt that includes the sneakers he wore to a workforce coaching session that “divided the nation.
Cricket Australia prevented the Test opener from making political statements about the war in Gaza during the Test against Pakistan.
The firm statement from the sporting body came after Khawaja wore shoes bearing the slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” at coaching earlier than the primary Test in December.
Australians responded with a mix of assist and criticism of the game star’s public protest show, together with the federal sporting minister and former cricketing all-rounder Simon O’Donnell.
Undeterred by the ban, Khawaja has charged forward along with his plans to make a public stand in opposition to the battle, saying on social media that he has collaborated with a sporting merchandise firm to print T-shirts that includes an illustration of the divisive sneakers.
“I’ve team[ed] up with @electric_wicky to bring you the Uzzy “Freedom and Equality” T shirts,” the put up to X – previously often called Twitter – stated.
He introduced he’ll donate all income from the T-shirt gross sales to the ‘UNICEF Children of Gaza’ attraction which is elevating funds to supply clear ingesting water, meals and training provides to youngsters on the Gaza Strip.
“For those who can, please purchase to help support those who are struggling and spread the word,” Khawaja stated.
Cricketing Australia had advised the opener he wouldn’t be capable of put on the sneakers to the match over guidelines which prohibit the carrying of non-public messages.
“We support the right of our players to express personal opinions,” the assertion stated.
“But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold.”
Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells thew her assist behind Khawaja final month, saying she has at all times advocated for athletes to specific use their platform.
“As the federal sports minister, I have always advocated for athletes to have the right to have a voice and to speak up on matters that are important to them,” she stated.
“Usman Khawaja is a great athlete. Usman Khawaja is a great Australian and he has every right to speak up on matters that are important to him.
“I think he has done it in a peaceful and respectful way and as a way that he as an individual can express an individual opinion that doesn’t compromise the Australian cricket team’s obligations to the ICC.”
Originally revealed as Aussie cricketer places ‘divisive’ protest sneakers onto T-shirts to lift funds for Gaza youngsters
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
