Cricket Scotland has found itself embroiled in a controversy following the emergence of past tweets from board member Khizar Ali that contain offensive language. The tweets, which date back to 2012, feature the 'P' word referring to Pakistanis, along with other derogatory remarks aimed at Indians. The organization has promptly initiated a formal investigation into the matter.
Khizar Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, has come under scrutiny for his historical social media activity. The revelations have prompted immediate reactions from various stakeholders, including Running out Racism, an organization dedicated to addressing racial issues within the sport.
A spokesperson for Running out Racism expressed their concern: "We have been made aware of the historic tweets circulating in relation to Cricket Scotland board member and WDCU chair Khizar Ali, from 2012 which include comments regarding various racialised communities. This includes racially offensive terms, such as the P word on numerous occasions."
Addressing the circulation of his old tweets, Khizar Ali issued a public apology: "There were recent screenshots shared of historic tweets from 2012 where I used the P word. The reading of the word in full for some within the South Asian and cricketing communities will invoke and trigger upset. To anyone who has to read that and it caused upset, I want to extend my sincere apologies to you."
Ali also acknowledged the broader context in which some of his tweets were shared and offered to engage directly with anyone affected: "There are also various other tweets which are being shared out of context of the conversation they sit within, and I am willing to commit to any discussions directly with anyone who has any concerns on these, as I have already with a number of colleagues."
A Call for Urgent Action
This incident comes at a time when Cricket Scotland is still reeling from a damning independent investigation last year that exposed institutional racism within its governance. The 2022 investigation disclosed 448 instances of racial discrimination, causing a complete overhaul of Cricket Scotland's board. The organization has since made it a priority to build an inclusive environment and stamp out all forms of discrimination.
A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland reaffirmed their stance: "The board of Cricket Scotland was completely changed last year after an independent investigation found the governance of the game in Scotland to be institutionally racist. We are committed to ensuring that our sport is safe, welcoming, inclusive, and open to all. We are determined to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to racism, sexism, and all forms of unacceptable behaviour."
However, the recent controversy has left many feeling disheartened. A representative from Running out Racism reflected on the emotional impact of Ali's past statements: "Running out Racism members are surprised, dismayed and feel incredibly let down that someone we've a huge amount of respect for would use such words, in any context, at any point in history. This has caused upset and anger with some we support and represent, it is difficult at this stage to work beyond how people feel in the immediate term."
Moving Forward
Despite the gravity of the situation, there is an acknowledgment of Ali's willingness to address his past conduct openly and engage in meaningful conversations: "However, we do acknowledge Khizar’s willingness to proactively own this, and appreciate the conversations he's engaged in directly with us and many others regarding these messages," noted the Running out Racism spokesperson.
As the formal investigation by Cricket Scotland progresses, the focus remains on upholding the standards of inclusivity and respect that the organization has committed to. The repercussions of the current scandal underscore the persistent challenges that sports organizations face in combating racism and promoting diversity at all levels.
The outcome of this investigation will likely have significant repercussions, not just for Ali but for Cricket Scotland as it continues its journey towards a more inclusive future. The sports community will be watching closely to see how these latest revelations are addressed and what further steps will be taken to ensure such incidents do not occur again.