N.Z., Britain defy S.A.N.R.O.C. on golf

Press, 26 August 1982, Page 26

N.Z., Britain defy S.A.N.R.O.C. on golf

NZPA London New Zealand and Britain could be the only Commonwealth countries to send teams to the World Amateur Golf Championships at Lucerne, Switzerland, next month. The chairman of the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee, Mr Sam Ramsamy, said he believed that Singapore had decided to withdraw from the event in protest against South Africa's participation, and he hoped that Hong Kong would follow suit. “I sent a long cablegram to Singapore asking them not to compete, and I have been told by very informed sources that a letter is on its way from the Government there confirming withdrawal," he said. “I have sent a similar message to the Hong Kong Golf Association pointing out its obligations under the Gleneagles Agreement, and I

hope it will also withdraw in the next few days,” he said. India, Fiji, Canada, Australia, and Nigeria have already withdrawn from the Eisenhower Trophy after approaches by S.A.N.R.O.C. and the exit of Hong Kong and Singapore would leave New Zealand and Britain as the only Commonwealth competitors. However, Mr Ramsamy said that their participation in the trophy would have no repercussions on the Commonwealth Games. “The black African nations gave their word at the Commonwealth Games Federation special meeting in London in May that they would be at Brisbane and so there is unfortunately no way we can press the issue,” he said. “But the Code of Conduct which will be written into the Games constitution at Brisbane will definitely put an end to this sort of behaviour by New Zealand and

? Britain. At the moment, they » are' having their last fling with apartheid,” he said. Mr Ramsamy believed - there was an increasing e tendency for New Zealand - and Britain to become isoi lated within the Comi monwealth as supporters of j South Africa. j ‘.‘lt seems as though - Britain is shielding behind New Zealand and vice versa / in the hope that nothing can i be done if they stick to- > gether,” he said. Mr Ramsamy said that he believed an instance of New 5 Zealand-England co-opera- - tion had occurred at the - recent annual meeting of - cricket’s governing body, the 1 International Cricket Confer- > ence, where the pair had • lobbied for a'delegation from the South African Cricket t Union to be given a hearing. > However, the West Indies, t India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, t and Australia had ensured ■ ■ that that hearing was not I given, he said. .