'It's absurd': Uproar after female cricketer denied entry into Australia
Botswanan cricketer Shameelah Mosweu has been denied a visa to come to Australia in a move labelled ‘un-Australian’ and ‘absurd’.
One of cricket’s most exciting young female players, Mosweu was invited to play in a Twenty20 women’s match in Bowral on Saturday.
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The 24-year-old was supposed to play for the FairBreak Global XI - FairBreak being an organisation that aims to promote gender equality in female sport.
But according to the Sydney Morning Herald she received a notice from the Australian government reading: "I am not satisfied that you genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia.”
FairBreak founder Shaun Martyn blasted the decision.
“It is absurd she is being considered a security risk,” he said in a statement.
“The denial of this opportunity goes against everything that Australia aspires to in proclaiming a ‘fair go’ for all.
“Shameelah is a great example for the young men and women of Botswana and every country where opportunities to perform on a world stage are limited.
“She deserves, as does everyone, the right to accept opportunities to showcase talent and continue to grow as a person and inspire.
“Shameelah’s absence will be greatly missed … We fully support Shameelah in every way we can and continue in our endeavours to have her as part of the team.”
Geoff Lawson blasts ‘mindless’ decision
Former Australian Test bowler and FairBreak head coach Geoff Lawson said the decision was “mindless”.
“It is the mindless actions of bureaucracy,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It is someone sitting at a desk going tick cross, so that’s disappointing when an individual’s circumstances aren’t really considered.
“(Mosweu) is a seriously good player, it affects the team and it also affects her progression and development.”
Mosweau has represented Botswana in nine T20 internationals, taking five wickets.
Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally echoed the condemnation online.
Curious. The Morrison Govt turns a blind eye to 100,000 airplane asylum arrivals (many being trafficked here to work in exploited conditions). Says ‘not a problem’
But then it blocks one elite female cricket player invited here to play in a tournament. 🤔 https://t.co/xqkl0cGygT— Kristina Keneally (@KKeneally) February 19, 2020
Outrageous. Botswana cricketer Shameelah Mosweu denied entry visa to Australia to take part in Fairbreak XI game https://t.co/P4gmZmrOxZ
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) February 19, 2020
WTF! Has Shameelah Mosweu from Botswana made some sort of derogatory tweet about Morrison or Dutton recently? If so she needs to be welcomed with open arms, elected even. Certainly NOT disallowed from playing cricket here. Have we got MORONS governing us? https://t.co/sGkOMpve9x
— 💧Darryl Hughes (@dazdesb) February 19, 2020
Disgusting behaviour by @PeterDutton_MP - if she was a French au pair for one of his mates he’d bend over backwards to allow her into the country
— David Faux (@DavidFaux5) February 19, 2020
What a joke....least he can't build a useless wall.
— John Veivers (@jveivers) February 19, 2020
Not a good look when we are bidding for the women’s football wc
— Warthog (@edwarner57) February 19, 2020
