Quinton de Kock opens up about ‘knee’ controversy, learn full assertion

South African cricketer Quinton de Kock has lastly issued an announcement after he was out of the crew versus West Indies for refusing to take the knee. In his assertion, Quinton de Kock reiterated that he’s not a racist and has siblings who’re “coloured”.
De Kock stated that he didn’t imply to disrespect anybody by not taking part in the match versus West Indies. He additionally stated that he didn’t imply to show it right into a ‘de Kock issue’. The wicket-keeper stated that the directive to take the knee was issued within the morning, once they had been on their option to the match.
Source: Cricket South Africa/Twitter
“For those who don’t know, I come from a mixed race family. My half-sisters are Coloured and my step mom is Black. For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement,” de Kock stated.
He acknowledged additional, “The rights and equality of all people is more important than any individual. I was raised to understand that we all have rights, and they are important. I felt like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told.”
De Kock stated that there was a dialogue with the Board over the matter, which he stated he wished may have occurred sooner. He additionally stated that they had been instructed earlier they’d the selection to do what they felt like doing on the time.
He continued, “I didn’t understand why I had to prove it with a gesture, when I live and learn and love people from all walks of life every day. When you are told what to do, with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning. It I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society.”
Source: Cricket South Africa/Twitter
“I’ve been called a lot of things as a cricketer. Doff. Stupid. Selfish. Immature. But those didn’t hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply. It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife. I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that,” de Kock acknowledged.
The wicket-keeper additionally admitted that he was shocked when the directive to take the knee was issued.
He stated, “I think it would of been better for everyone concerned if we had sorted this out before the tournament started. Then we could have focused on our job, to win cricket matches for our country. There always seems to be a drama when we go to World Cups. That isn’t fair.”
De Kock additionally complimented Temba Bavuma, the captain of the South African crew. He stated that he’ll like to play for his nation once more.
Source: Cricket South Africa/Twitter
Earlier, Bavuma has backed Quinton de Kock absolutely within the submit match convention. “Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions,” he had stated.
Bavuma had acknowledged, “As far as we stand, Quinton is still one of the players. He’s still one of the boys, so whatever support that he needs, whatever shoulder that he requires from his teammates, we’ll be there for him.”
De Kock’s choice to withdraw from the match over the knee directive had left former cricketers and social media divided. While former England captain Michael Vaughan stated it needs to be a person alternative, commentators Pommy Mbangwa and Darren Sammy expressed disappointment over the identical.