University of East London cricket coach, Arfan Akram, says the recent investigations into the historic racism at Yorkshire Cricket Club has caused “everyone in society to pause, reflect and question if what is going on around them is right or wrong.”
Akram, a former county player for Essex, Kent and Derbyshire, believes Azeem Rafiq, the player who has brought the issue to light and accuses Yorkshire Cricket Club of being institutionally racist, has “empowered communities and individuals to talk about their experiences.”
Influencing More Than Just Cricket
Akram acknowledges there is ignorance in cricket and he admits that he has encountered similar issues in the past.
“You as an individual weren’t necessarily allowed to embrace your personality. You were more or less portrayed that this is the set character for cricket.”
He continues, “I think Lord Patel [New Yorkshire CCC Chairman] captured it brilliantly, by saying, these behaviours are not right full stop.”
Akram feels the ramifications of the scandal and the recommendations to remedy past problems will extend far beyond just cricket.
The East Londoner says, “this particular case will enable every sporting organisation and business to step back and ask themselves, ‘were we ignorant? Were we institutionally biased in the past?’ A lot of industries will be seriously reviewing their mindsets.”
“Change Comes When There Is A Collaborative Buy In”
The allegations raised by Rafiq are not new issues in cricket. But, Akram has seen improvements in attitude and a willingness to learn across the sport over the past 10 years.
Akram, who now also works as Operations Manager of East London Cricket for Essex, believes the biggest challenge is “working with diverse communities to make sure they’re integrated in the sport.”
Changing the Game
Akram believes, “there is positive change. The staff at Essex Cricket are really empowered to want to learn about people’s culture.”
“I take a lot of pride when my white English colleagues ask me, what they see as a stupid naive question, but what I see is their willingness to change their own way through trying to learn about other cultures.”
Next week, Rafiq will give evidence alongside senior members of Yorkshire Cricket Club in front of a parliamentary select committee as the deeper investigation into the allegations continues.
A Positive End to a Shocking Scandal?
Akram sees hope that cricket can use what has been highlighted by Rafiq as a “chance for the game to pause and take in all of what’s going on. There is a positive opportunity for someone who has experienced horrific things to share his story.”
“It’s a real chance to change the shape of the sport for the whole cricket network. For our key partners, stakeholders, sponsors, local authorities and the community.”
He ends by saying, “In cricket we’re all part of the fraternity. We have a responsibility to take on the recommendations from this tribunal and make sure that we are constantly doing the right thing for the right reasons.”