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South Africa flag controversy (File Photo, Twitter)
In a big piece of news South African cricket team, could face a ban from playing under the national flag of South Africa during the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. The Proteas under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma, started their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign with a convincing win of 102 runs against Sri Lanka, played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, in Delhi on Saturday, October 7. First time in the history of an ODI World Cup, three of the batters of a team scored centuries in a match.
Meanwhile, in a shocking blow, the Temba Bavuma-led South Africa could have to play in the shadow of a neutral flag as they have been included in the countries, showing non-compliance with anti-doping regulations, by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
This inclusion of South Africa by Wada could lead to a ban on the national flag of South Africa in the ODI World Cup 2023 as a consequence of all this.
“During its meeting, the ExCo asserted non-compliance of three Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). The two National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) in question are Bermuda and South Africa, and the Major Event Organization (MEO) in question is the Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports),” said WADA in an official press release.
"South Africa's flag will not be flown until SAIDS is reinstated." - WADA report
Furthermore, WADA also elaborated the sanctions for the countries, which show non-compliance with the regulations of the agency in order to prevent sports from doping.
“South Africa's flag will not be flown at regional, continental and World Championships, and events organized by Major Event Organizations (other than the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games), until SAIDS (South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport) is Reinstated (sic),” reads an explanatory report by WADA.
Notably, South Africa will play their second ODI World Cup 2023 match against the five-time champions Australia on Thursday, October 12. Both teams will play this match at the Ekana Sports City Stadium, in Lucknow.