Kallis meets Majola to explain anthem issue
Following a report in South Africa's Sunday Times over South Africa vice captain Jacques Kallis's alleged refusal to sing the national anthem, Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's CEO, met the player today to discuss the issue.
Cricinfo staff
18-Dec-2006
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Jacques Kallis today clarified that his alleged refusal to sing the national anthem was related to his father's death with whom he used to sing the anthem. "Jacques recently lost both his parents, and he was particularly close to his father who was his cricket mentor. They would often sing the anthem together, and his father was very proud of his son playing for
South Africa," Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's CEO, said after meeting the player.
A report in South Africa's Sunday Times had implied that Kallis's silence when the rest of the team sang the national anthem had more than met the eye. "Jacques has explained why he is silent during the singing of the anthem before international matches and his explanation is completely acceptable to Cricket South Africa," Majola said in a statement.
"Jacques told me that he sings the anthem in his heart in a quiet moment
in remembrance of his parents and in gratitude for what they did to
allow him to be good enough to represent his country. He has great respect for the anthem and cherishes every moment he has represented South Africa around the world," the statement added.
On his part, Jacques Kallis said that "The questioning of my patriotism
and commitment to South Africa can easily be answered by visiting my
website www.kallis.co.za and seeing the
Jacques Kallis Scholarship Foundation I have set up and this will
clearly illustrate my passion and willingness to redress the imbalances
of the past.
"I hope my personal and family wishes would be respected and this matter
would be settled."