The BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced that they will title all future bilateral series between the two countries as ‘The Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela Series’
The Test series between the respective countries will be played for the ‘Freedom Trophy’, which is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said, “The struggle for freedom has been the common thread between our countries. Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela liberated the two nations with non-violence and non- cooperation as their weapons which have inspired the world, to adopt and achieve their goals in a peaceful manner. We dedicate this trophy to Mahatma and Madiba, the guiding souls of our nations.”
Secretary Anurag Thakur, said, “The Test Series has been christened as the ‘Freedom Trophy’- Freedom for which Gandhi and Mandela sacrificed their lives and thereby allowed a nation to be born free from years of bondage and suppression.”
“BCCI, on behalf of every citizen of our country is able to pay tribute to these great leaders by naming the series after them and appeal to each and every citizen of our country to imbibe their ideals and follow the path advised by them,” he added.
CSA President Chris Nenzani said, “The revered names of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela leave us with a huge responsibility to live up to the legacies they have left. Above all, they stood for doing the right thing and persevered at great personal cost to achieve freedom for their country regardless of how long it took them.
CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said, “For the people of both our countries there is no greater duty than to uphold the ideals of both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. As cricket loving people we must fight hard to win on the field of play but never forget to do battle in the spirit of these two great men.
“Naming all future bilateral series between our two countries after Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela is eternal news for our people and cricketers and I would like to thank the Nelson Mandela Foundation for their support,” concluded Lorgat.
