View Full Version : Henry Olonga goes into exile
red+black
16 Mar 2003, 21:00
Zimbabwe pace bowler Henry Olonga's international career came to an end on Saturday night with a secret journey to a safe house in South Africa.
He will hide until he is able to start a new life in a different country -- maybe in Kenya (sic) where he was born and where he has his family, or England, where he can take advantage of asylum.
Olonga's last few hours as an international cricketer were spent nervously, lest there was a tap on his shoulder that could have threatened his life.
Seven plainclothes officers from Zimbabwe, believed to be from the Central Intelligence Organisation, arrived in East London on Friday and were entertained by World Cup organisers during the Zimbabwe-Sri Lanka tie on Saturday.
Their real purpose for being in the sleepy, coastal town was more sinister than watching their country's team bow out of the World Cup, a report in The Sunday Telegraph said.
Olonga had received numerous threats during the last month, but this one was different. He had been told the officers intended to 'escort him home' where a likely charge of treason awaited.
The punishment for treason in Zimbabwe is death.
The drama began in the mid-afternoon when officers from the World Cup-appointed Close Protection Unit came to the players' hotel and packed all of Olonga's personal possession in case he was intercepted after the match.
Olonga appeared on the field to perform 12th man duties early in the afternoon to create the impression that everything was normal.
But things were far from normal despite Olonga's impossibly courageous attempts to stay calm.
"He was pretty shaken, but he seemed to be coping as well as anyone can in a situation like that," said a teammate after the match.
Olonga, along with Andy Flower, wore black armbands in their opening match of the tournament and issued a joint statement mourning the death of democracy in Zimbabwe, a gesture that earned worldwide praise and also the wrath of the Robert Mugabe regime.
Flower also quit international cricket on Saturday.
Olonga issued the following statement explaining his decision to bow out.
It is with great sadness that I am officially announcing my retirement from international cricket. My continued involvement with the Zimbabwean team has become untenable for the following reasons:
The stand I took earlier in the World Cup has undoubtedly had repercussions that have affected both my career and my personal life. I have received threatening emails, which, I believe, make it dangerous for me to return to Zimbabwe.
I was never under the illusion that my stand would have no consequences, but I believe that one should have the courage of one's convictions in life and do all one can to uphold them.
I believe that if I were to continue to play for Zimbabwe in the midst of the prevailing crisis, I would only be neglecting the voice of my conscience.
I would be condoning the grotesque human rights violations that have been perpetrated against my fellow countrymen.
To my fellow Zimbabweans: The Zimbabwe we dream of must merely remain in our hearts. We must be strong, stand united and strive to give our children the brighter day in which they belong.
A real shame, I hope he ends up playing for Kenya. Sad to see Andy and Henry depart on such terms. And can I be the first to say this: I hope someone murders the bastard Robert Mugabe, and that he pleads for his life as the dagger twists in his black heart. DIE SCUM DIE.
ps. the "black" reference was not a reference to the colour of his skin.
And people here complain about Howard and his government.:(
red+black
16 Mar 2003, 21:11
For this, I'm very thankful that Zimbabwe made the Super Sixes and thus played their final matches of this World Cup in South Africa. Imagine if their Pakistan game had not been washed out, Henry could well be in jail now, and his future, well, cricket may not have been the only thing he would have had to say goodbye to.
grinspoon
16 Mar 2003, 21:12
hopefully they both make there way down here, great guys, and good cricketers.:) **** the zimbo government, why dont we blow them up and not afganistan, were ****ing bin laden isnt even there anymore, take out that zimbo bastard.
The Hippie
16 Mar 2003, 21:32
I hope he had the foresight to get his family out of Zimbabwe before the World Cup, could leave them in a very ordinary postion if they aren't. If pricks like Mugabe can't get to people like Olongo, they tend to take their frustrations out on their nearest and dearest. :(
Originally posted by red+black
He will hide until he is able to start a new life in a different country -- maybe in Kenya where he was born and where he has his family, or England, where he can take advantage of asylum.
He was born in Zambia.
Adrian Shelton
16 Mar 2003, 22:03
Whats Zimbabwe?, i have heard of a nice little place called Rhodesia though, i think the Poms own it.....
red+black
16 Mar 2003, 22:19
Originally posted by DaveW
He was born in Zambia.
yes you are correct, the journalist obviously got it wrong. I will add (sic) just so ppl know.
Kenny_01
17 Mar 2003, 01:38
:( What a sad story. Thoughts go out to him and his family.
It really is a shame politics have to be involved with everything :(
ScouseCat
17 Mar 2003, 06:30
Hopefully, Henry Olonga and Andy Flower will be able to find freedom in another country and continue to play first-class cricket.
I wonder where this leaves Andy's brother, Grant Flower??
Wicked Lester
17 Mar 2003, 07:06
This is really sad and simply confirms how 'stupid and naive' the ICC were for agreeing to schedule world cup matches in Zimbabwe.
I'm stagerred at the number of people who still refuse to condemn Mugabe - Mandela, Malcolm Fraser and Chirac even had him in Paris recently rolling out the red carpet. Its sickening.
Anyway another couple of departures and Zimbabwe cricket will be history. Will Grant Flower be safe?
I feared this would happen from the moment they wore the black tape. Olonga seems to be in substantially more danger than Flower though?
Dogwatcher
17 Mar 2003, 09:27
Originally posted by red+black
[B][I]
a likely charge of treason awaited.
The punishment for treason in Zimbabwe is death.
B]
Great article about a very sad situation.
I hope that Henry makes it through ok.
However, I thought I would isolate the above paragraphs because I think that's what the introductory paragraph should have focused on.
The important thing is not that his international cricket career came to an end - but that he faced death on treason charges for making a political statement.
In some ways I feel the journalist has reduced the importance of the story and has missed the most important angle.
goaldrush
17 Mar 2003, 09:33
All I hope is that the Zimbabwe Cricket team blames their country's leader for all of this childish behaviour that has been going on.
St-KriS
17 Mar 2003, 09:40
Originally posted by goaldrush
All I hope is that the Zimbabwe Cricket team blames their country's leader for all of this childish behaviour that has been going on.
And if they do that, then the whole team will be charged with treason..
So longa Olonga, it's been nice to know you.
I hope he finds a place to coninue his cricket career.
goaldrush
17 Mar 2003, 10:12
Originally posted by red+black
Zimbabwe pace bowler Henry Olonga's international career came to an end on Saturday night with a secret journey to a safe house in South Africa.
He will hide until he is able to start a new life in a different country -- maybe in Kenya (sic) where he was born and where he has his family, or England, where he can take advantage of asylum.
Olonga's last few hours as an international cricketer were spent nervously, lest there was a tap on his shoulder that could have threatened his life.
Seven plainclothes officers from Zimbabwe, believed to be from the Central Intelligence Organisation, arrived in East London on Friday and were entertained by World Cup organisers during the Zimbabwe-Sri Lanka tie on Saturday.
Their real purpose for being in the sleepy, coastal town was more sinister than watching their country's team bow out of the World Cup, a report in The Sunday Telegraph said.
Olonga had received numerous threats during the last month, but this one was different. He had been told the officers intended to 'escort him home' where a likely charge of treason awaited.
The punishment for treason in Zimbabwe is death.
The drama began in the mid-afternoon when officers from the World Cup-appointed Close Protection Unit came to the players' hotel and packed all of Olonga's personal possession in case he was intercepted after the match.
Olonga appeared on the field to perform 12th man duties early in the afternoon to create the impression that everything was normal.
But things were far from normal despite Olonga's impossibly courageous attempts to stay calm.
"He was pretty shaken, but he seemed to be coping as well as anyone can in a situation like that," said a teammate after the match.
Olonga, along with Andy Flower, wore black armbands in their opening match of the tournament and issued a joint statement mourning the death of democracy in Zimbabwe, a gesture that earned worldwide praise and also the wrath of the Robert Mugabe regime.
Flower also quit international cricket on Saturday.
Olonga issued the following statement explaining his decision to bow out.
It is with great sadness that I am officially announcing my retirement from international cricket. My continued involvement with the Zimbabwean team has become untenable for the following reasons:
The stand I took earlier in the World Cup has undoubtedly had repercussions that have affected both my career and my personal life. I have received threatening emails, which, I believe, make it dangerous for me to return to Zimbabwe.
I was never under the illusion that my stand would have no consequences, but I believe that one should have the courage of one's convictions in life and do all one can to uphold them.
I believe that if I were to continue to play for Zimbabwe in the midst of the prevailing crisis, I would only be neglecting the voice of my conscience.
I would be condoning the grotesque human rights violations that have been perpetrated against my fellow countrymen.
To my fellow Zimbabweans: The Zimbabwe we dream of must merely remain in our hearts. We must be strong, stand united and strive to give our children the brighter day in which they belong.
A real shame, I hope he ends up playing for Kenya. Sad to see Andy and Henry depart on such terms. And can I be the first to say this: I hope someone murders the bastard Robert Mugabe, and that he pleads for his life as the dagger twists in his black heart. DIE SCUM DIE.
ps. the "black" reference was not a reference to the colour of his skin. :( :(
This is a heartbreaking story. One can only begin to imagine what it must be like to live under such a regime. Best of luck to him.
Originally posted by ScouseCat
Hopefully, Henry Olonga and Andy Flower will be able to find freedom in another country and continue to play first-class cricket.
I wonder where this leaves Andy's brother, Grant Flower??
Andy Flower has already got a contract to play for Essex, there's also a rumour he'll play in Australia during the summer.
Olonga i'm not so sure about, he'd be borderline to get a run with one of the county sides (unless he can take out pommy citizenship or something like that to allow him not to be classified as a foreign player). I sincerely hope he can keep playing at a high level. I don't know what sort of bloke he is other than that he's got a hell of a lot of guts. All he did was wear a black armband and now he's facing treason charges and the death penalty. What a way to live. :(
BTW, anyone see Andy Flower's lbw decision? One of the worst i've ever seen. Poor bugger just stood there looking at the umpire saying 'What?' when the prat in white raised his finger. As the commentator said, 'What a way to end your international career'.
Zimbabwean cricket could fall apart sooner rather than later, if this is anything to go by.
http://www-aus.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2003/MAR/157510_REUTERS_16MAR2003.html
Whittall joins Zimbabwe exodus
Reuters - 16 March 2003
EAST LONDON, South Africa, March 16 (Reuters) - Guy Whittall became the third Zimbabwe World Cup player in as many days to announce his international retirement on Sunday.
Whittall said: "I announced it to my team mates last night.
"I have had 10 great years, I have enjoyed all of them but it's time to move on. I want to concentrate on growing the family business."
Batsman Andy Flower announced on Friday he would retire after the team's final World Cup match against Sri Lanka on Saturday and fast bowler Henry Olonga followed suit immediately after the game.
The two had protested against what they termed human rights abuses in Zimbabwe during the World Cup. Both intend to move abroad. Olonga, the first black cricketer to represent Zimbabwe, said he was concerned over his safety after being threatened following his protest.
Zimbabwe reached the second round of the World Cup but failed to reach the semi-finals after losing all three of their matches in the Super Sixes to New Zealand, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The 30-year-old Whittall, who has a game ranching business played 46 test and 147 one-dayers for Zimbabwe as a batsman and right-arm medium bowler. Several other Zimbabwe players are believed to be considering retirement.
© Reuters
Not that I rate Whittall as a great cricketer, but the Zimbos have now lost three fairly experienced players, one of whom is truly world class (Flower). The last sentence of the article would be a huge concern if it's true.
One has to now wonder why they are retiring?
Is this a form of player protest perhaps?
Australia could well see an influx of more ex-Zimbabwean players, and why wouldn't they. They'd probably earn more on state/county contracts than they woul do playing for their country. Not to forget, they'd be safe living here.
I'd take safe living for myself and my family any day over playing sport for my nation.
Originally posted by royal
One has to now wonder why they are retiring?
Is this a form of player protest perhaps?
Australia could well see an influx of more ex-Zimbabwean players, and why wouldn't they. They'd probably earn more on state/county contracts than they woul do playing for their country. Not to forget, they'd be safe living here.
I'd take safe living for myself and my family any day over playing sport for my nation.
I don't know how they'd go all going to the same country to play cricket - Australia having the policy of one foreign player per state, one English county cricket having probably the same thing.
Nothing to stop these blokes playing district/grade cricket though. As far as I know cricket is not a fully professional sport in Zimbabwe, so some (fringe) players might have day jobs and therefore other skills which could see them working 38-40 hour weeks like the average joe, and earning some pocket money playing club or grade cricket on weekends.
Certainly better than staying in Zimbabwe, I would think!
Well Olonga is a talented Tenor and is looking to develop his singing. In fact, I've heard he's planning to spend a little time away from the game to improve his voice.
His family are on the way to England and he's planning to seek political asylum there as well.
Good luck to the Olonga family.
red+black
18 Mar 2003, 15:24
Originally posted by Darky
I don't know how they'd go all going to the same country to play cricket - Australia having the policy of one foreign player per state, one English county cricket having probably the same thing.
Nothing to stop these blokes playing district/grade cricket though. As far as I know cricket is not a fully professional sport in Zimbabwe, so some (fringe) players might have day jobs and therefore other skills which could see them working 38-40 hour weeks like the average joe, and earning some pocket money playing club or grade cricket on weekends.
What is the rule regarding foreign players if they have retired from international cricket?
Originally posted by red+black
What is the rule regarding foreign players if they have retired from international cricket?
Not sure, but I'm presuming that because they still qualify for international representation, they still count as foreign cricketers.
Qualification for representation is long-term, retirements can be short term (some good examples in footy are Lockett, Ablett, Salmon and Carey - can't think of any in cricket except Bob Simpson and Carl Hooper).
Darky Carl Hooper didn't offically retire. When Hooper stopped playing for the West Indies he came out to Australia to spend time with his Australian with and son who was extremely ill. All Hooper did was make himself unavailable to be selected.
Olonga has in fact signed a contract as a tenor and will persue that over the next 18 months. If it doesn't work out he can play Div 2 county cricket.