10.02.03

Zimbabwefund.org

Zimbabwe's Stars put the World to Shame

Zimbabwefund.org, the Geldof-backed campaign launched by Aegis Trust to prevent the England cricket fixture from going ahead in Zimbabwe on moral grounds, has praised Zimbabwean players Andy Flower and Henry Olonga for their bravery in issuing a joint statement of protest and wearing black armbands to 'mourn the death of democracy in [their] beloved Zimbabwe'.

"While England backs out of Zimbabwe on security grounds, Zimbabwe's cricket stars have put us - and the rest of the world - to shame," Dr James Smith, initiator of the Zimbabwefund.org campaign stated. "Andy Flower and Henry Olonga could stand to lose far more than their careers over this brave and moving gesture, but they have set a shining example.

"They have recognised that however much the world of sport might argue to the contrary, sport does have enormous political significance. Fully understanding that their silence would have been read as apathy or complicity, they have chosen to value the lives of their countrymen and women ahead of their own interests and personal safety. In doing so they have demonstrated a moral stature far exceeding that of the ICC, the England cricket authorities, and all those who remain indifferent to the fate of the millions of Zimbabweans now threatened not only with torture and rape, but with deliberate starvation."

To coincide with the opening of the Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwefund.org projected the image of a starving Zimbabwean onto the remaining tower at Wembley, accompanied by the slogan, 'LBW: Life Before Wickets'. (An image can be downloaded from 'press releases' in Zimbabwefund.org, or supplied on request using the details below.)

Interviews available. Details of the campaign can be found at zimbabwefund.org
For more information contact Aegis Trust press officer, David Brown.
Tel: 01623 836627, Mobile: 07812 640873, Email: david.brown@aegistrust.org