Coloureds call for boycott of Lions

Press, 10 April 1980, Page 38

Coloureds call for boycott of Lions

NZPA-Reuter Johannesburg Indian and Coloured (mixed race) groups have launched campaigns to ostracise players in the British Lions rugby team and are calling for a boycott of their . matches in South Africa.

The campaign for the boycott was launched at the week-end by the Coloured Labour Party. Its national executive meeting in Durban resolved to send a cable to the British Government asking that the tour be stopped. A sports association representing more than 200 schools and teacher train- ‘ irig colleges, mostly Coloured and Indian but some black, meanwhile called for the British players to be ostracised on their 10week tour that begins next month.

“The Lions have to justify their visit, so they will go all out to give an impression that they are trying to bring about changes here,” said iVIr Reggie Feldman, an executive member of the South African Senior Schools Sports Association (S.A.S.S.S.A.). It is affiliated with the South African Council on Sport (5.A.C.0.5.), which has campaigned against the tour.

The campaign to ostracise the players comes after remarks by the Lions’ coach, Mr Noel Murphy, which received wide publicity in South Africa, that

the players wanted to meet blacks and visit their schools and homes to judge for themselves what South Africa’s racial situation was really like. “We are sending circulars to all black educational institutions calling on pupils, teachers and parents not to entertain the Lions or allow them into their schools,” said Mr Feldman after a S.A.S.S.S.A. executive meeting in Cape Town. “We are also calling on them not to allow the Lions into their homes,” he added.

In spite of the actions by the Coloured groups, the 30-man Lions’ party is certain of an enthusiastic reception from South Africa’s sports-crazy white minority when they arrive on May 4. Before the first test against the Lions on May 31, the Springboks will warm up with two’ “tests” against a South American team on April 26 and May 3.

The South American “Pumas,”, made up of players from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay, will arrive for a seven-match tour.

Secrecy had surrounded most of the arrangements for their visit because of international opposition to South Africa’s racial separation policies. The Lions’ ten-week visit will be the first major international sporting tour of South Africa since 1976.