International Press Release

Pushing Past Politics, Play For Zimbabwe Must Go On
Australia’s Cancellation of Cricket Tour Inspires Worldwide Day of Play

With the Australian government’s refusal to let its national Cricket team tour Zimbabwe in September, the cancellation of the highly-anticipated event leaves a void among fans and a country struggling to hang on to its normalcy. Young Zimbabweans are taking matters into their own hands, attempting for only one day to help fill the void with Play For Zimbabwe, a grass-roots effort to organize cricket games around the world on Sept. 1, 2007.

The event will take place in several cities and towns across Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, the USA and Canada. Zimbabweans and cricket lovers alike from around the globe are encouraged to be a part of games near them on Sept. 1. From backyards and playgrounds, to streets and clubs, organizers and players will enjoy a day where the focus is not on political ideology or its effects, but simply on the game of Cricket; a sport that crosses racial, political and socioeconomic lines.

“By celebrating the strengths of our people—that is, the hope, humour and resilience—we are starting to rebuild our sense of national pride and demonstrating that we still believe in our right to a future, that we haven't given up,” organizer for the Australian region Lucy Jarvis said. “The Play For Zimbabwe initiative is an avenue for Zimbabweans to express their love for a nation at a time when all we get is bad news.”

Organizers are using the extended network of young Zimbabweans around the globe, utilizing social networks on the Internet and blog sites, in a grassroots effort to promote unity among scattered citizens of the struggling nation. Mostly university students from Zimbabwe who are not currently in their home country are coordinating games.

“The initiative appeals to this generation in particular because of its simplicity and its optimistic nature,” the event’s blog site states. “It is different, but it is increasingly evident that in order to make a difference, a different approach is needed.”

Kwapi T. Vengesayi, who is helping to organize a day of play on the West coast of the United States, describes the importance of cricket to his generation as it has helped to build bridges between race and class divisions in Zimbabwe. He also notes the pride and unity in Zimbabwe as a result of the team’s display of the national colors in their uniform.

Like many other young people, this generation of Zimbabweans is finding hope in the potential for sport to represent the vision of a unified country. More importantly, they are celebrating the strength and power that is a current reality among them, as they are able to organize a worldwide event like Play For Zimbabwe.