Botswana cricketer Shameelah Mosweu denied Australia visa for ‘flight risk’
Mosweu has five T20I wickets to her name with her best bowling figures of 3/27.
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Shameelah Mosweu, one of Botswana’s talented cricketers, have been denied a visa by the Australia Department of Home Affairs, who reckons that she is a ‘flight risk’. The 24-year-old Mosweu was invited to play for the FairBreak Global XI in a T20 match at the Bradman Oval on Saturday, February 22. However, for the time being, she has been refused to enter the country.
Mosweu is pursuing her studies in a University in England and has represented Botswana in nine T20Is. The side, FairBreak Global XI, she was set to play, comprised of 10 female cricketers from 10 countries. Last year, she was associated with the FairBreak program, which puts forth the importance of gender equality in women’s sports.
“I am not satisfied that you genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia,” the denial notice read as per reports in The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Statement: Botswana player Shameelah Mosweu’s visa has been denied. “It is absurd to us that she is deemed a flight risk. We are disappointed and saddened she will not be joining us this week." – @smartyn4, FairBreak founder Shameelah (pictured here with @mir.sana05) we are saddened and disappointed by this government decision. You will be missed by us all this week but we will continue to fight for you in future events. Read more on our blog: https://fairbreak.net/blog/2020/02/17/statement-botswana-player-shameelah-mosweus-visa-has-been-denied/
Shameelah is a great example for the young men: FairBreak founder
Shaun Martyn, the FairBreak founder, has lashed out, saying that the decision didn’t make much of a sense. The founder believes that the decision was against the goal of giving everyone with a fair chance.
“It is absurd she is being considered a security risk. The denial of this opportunity goes against everything that Australia aspires to in proclaiming a ‘fair go’ for all,” Martyn was quoted as saying.
Apart from lamenting the decision, Shaun also lauded Shameelah for setting an example for the aspiring cricketers, who wishes to take up cricket as a profession in Botswana.
“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,” he added.
Mosweu had the golden chance of rubbing shoulders with former Australia women’s cricketer Alex Blackwell, also the skipper of the Bradman XI. Geoff Lawson, the former Aussie men’s Test bowler, called the decision ‘mindless.
Mosweu has five T20I wickets to her name with her best bowling figures of 3/27 coming against Mozambique in August 2018.
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