Renowned golfer Gary Player said on Tuesday he was disappointed that his integrity and support for human rights had been brought into question by his removal from the guest list for the Nelson Mandela Invitational golf tournament.
On Monday, the event owner, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF), asked the golfer to stand down, adding that he would not be invited ”in any specific capacity”.
The decision follows an appeal to former president Nelson Mandela by influential South Africans, including Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, to distance himself from the golfer because of his links with the controversial Burma regime.
Player’s company was involved in the construction of the Pun Hlaing Golf Club in Rangoon where junta generals were said to spend their time negotiating business deals.
Player had traditionally been the host and guest of honour at the NMCF event because of his links with other golfers and his willingness to help.
However, on his website Player said his company’s involvement in the design of a golf course had been taken entirely out of context.
”To set the facts straight, Gary Player Design was appointed when the world’s relations towards the regime in Burma had thawed; Aung San Suu Kyi had been released from house arrest and it seemed as though real political change was in the air,” he said.
‘Actually humanitarian’
Player and his team believed that the talks in which the regime was engaged with the democratic opposition would lead to free and fair elections and that, like South Africa, Burma would embrace the chance to free its people and live harmoniously as an example within Asia.
The company’s decision to design the course in Burma was actually humanitarian in that it took no profit from the endeavour, but rather encouraged the developer to put the money toward creating jobs, as well as establishing a caddy and agronomy programme.
To the best of the company’s knowledge, these programmes were still in place today.
The design work on the golf course was completed in 2002 — again, an effort for which the company was paid expenses only. At no time did the Player Group invest in property in Burma, nor profit from the development of a golf course, he said.
In fact, the organisation had no physical presence within the country since the working relationship ended in 2002, and had also spoken out several times in recent years against the political situation there.
”Let me make it abundantly clear that I decry in the strongest possible terms the recent events in Burma and wholeheartedly support Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in his efforts to bring peace and transition to that country,” said Player.
”I have a solid record of campaigning for democracy around the world, and through the Player Foundation, I have raised millions of dollars for impoverished children globally. My track record speaks for itself — therefore it should be clear that I also denounce corporations that have an ongoing presence in Burma and/or profit from business relations with the military regime.
”The greatest word in any religious book — be it the Bible, the Qu’ran, the Torah or whatever, is ‘love’ — and this is what Nelson Mandela has in abundance, which is why he is one of my greatest heroes,” Player said. – Sapa