Cricketers' moral credibility up in smoke

Published May 12, 2001

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By Murray Williams, Douglas Carew and Patrick Compton

The actions of South African cricketers immersed in a dope scandal in the West Indies have been slammed by cricket authorities, supporters and parents.

Concerned parents and particularly drug counsellors believe the "irresponsible" behaviour of the cricketers could have a devastating impact on drug prevention campaigns.

The five Proteas caught smoking dope - Paul Adams, Herschelle Gibbs, Justin Kemp, Andre Nel and Roger Telemachus - are popular role models for thousands of cricket-loving children. Physiotherapist Craig Smith also admitted smoking dope.

News of the dagga-smoking incident sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity.

Proteas supporters were finally putting the Hansiegate betting scandal behind them only to be rocked by the latest developments.

Meanwhile, former United Cricket Board of South Africa CEO Ali Bacher has called on the International Cricketing Council to formulate stringent guidelines urgently on banned substances before the start of the 2003 cricket World Cup.

A grim sounding Bacher, who is in charge of South Africa's hosting of the World Cup, said it was "critical" that something be done and that if any player transgressed the laws during the tournament, he would immediately be "sent packing".

He said Australia was the only country which had adopted a clear set of rules and penalties for its players concerning banned substances.

Rodger Meyer, medical director at the Kenilworth Place Addiction Treatment centre, warned that sports icons who used drugs sent a dangerous message to vulnerable young fans that was an acceptable form of recreation or celebration.

"This is potentially disastrous as youngsters desperately need guidance in creative and affirming avenues of expression," he said.

Herman Gibbs, father of Herschelle, spoke movingly on Saturday about his efforts to teach his son the price of fame.

"I told him that if you park on a yellow line it gets on to the front page. There's a lot of pressure to cope with and perhaps he hasn't yet learnt the price of fame.

"A role model is not something you choose to be - it is thrust upon you," said Gibbs, who added that he had spoken to his son about his responsibilities before.

He said the incident had come as a shock: "Herschelle frowns on smoking."

In Port Elizabeth Jean Kemp, mother of Justin, said on Saturday that her son was "taking strain" and felt he had let his country down.

"He told me what happened and is devastated that such a big thing has been made of it here."

She phoned her son immediately after hearing the news of the dope scandal.

"Justin has never smoked a cigarette in his life before - he's very anti-smoking and I know this was a one-off thing with the guys.

"He told me what had happened. He is not so much upset about the incident itself, as the press reaction to it."

It was revealed on Friday that the five players and physiotherapist Smith "had a celebratory puff or two" of dagga on the night of South Africa's Test series-winning triumph in Antigua on April 10.

United Cricket Board of South Africa CEO, Gerald Majola, who is on tour with the team said at a press conference on Saturday that an inquiry had immediately been set up. The players were found guilty and each fined R10 000.

"They were very sorry," he said.

But the Eastern Province Cricket Board's vice-president, Ronnie Pillay, was not impressed. "These guys are heroes to the kids of South Africa and South African cricket cannot be seen to be nurturing these sorts of things."

Meanwhile, South African captain Shaun Pollock tried on to downplay the incident.

Pollock said they had dealt with it and had "put it behind us".

He was speaking before the start of the sixth one-day international against the West Indies.

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