NZC to be compensated by government for cancelled Zimbabwe tour

Christchurch, Aug 2 (UNI) New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is all set to get a 251,000 dollar compensation from the government for the cancelled home series against Zimbabwe, which had to be called off after the African team's players were denied visas to protest the ''appalling human rights record in the country''.

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard announced the compensation but maintained that the government was justified in denying visas to the Zimbabwean players as the country's human rights record under Robert Mugabe was ''appalling''.

''We decided the tour was not appropriate given the Zimbabwean Government's continuing human rights abuses,'' Mr Mallard was quoted by the New Zeland Herald as saying.

''The Labour-led Government made an important stand over this tour in order to send a strong message to Robert Mugabe's government over its appalling human rights record and continuing abuse of democratic principles,'' he added.

The NZC, which suffered heavy losses following the cancellation of the tour, had approached the government soon after for compensation but were refused assistance at that time.

However, the Sports Minister, after discussing the matter with NZC, believes the board needs to be compensated for the cancelled fibe-week tour.

''It is only fair that we now compensate New Zealand Cricket,'' Mr Mallard said.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Board was taken over by Mugabe's government in January, which was immediately followed by the national team's withdrawal from Test cricket until February next year.

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