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Cape Town - Cricket South Africa (CSA) has opted to remove former Proteas batsman HD Ackerman as host of its annual awards evening later this month.
This comes after Ackerman announced earlier this week that he will be relocating to Australia in September this year.
Ackerman announced on his Facebook page that he was shocked by CSA's decision to no longer have him as host of the awards evening on Tuesday, July 26.
Ackerman wrote: “Wow, just been pulled off hosting the cricket South Africa Awards on the 26th because a few people on social media feel my move to Australia is because im racist. Forget the fact my wife's sister had just moved to Brisbane, and that my wife's parents have just moved to Perth, or that I got a job offer in Perth that included a school bursary for my son. Those reasons are not good enough.wow wow wow.”
Altaaf Kazi, CSA’s spokesperson, confirmed to Sport24 that the decision was taken by CSA and not broadcaster SuperSport.
Negative comments on social media regarding Ackerman's decision were given as reasons.
“In view of certain negative comments on social media following HD’s Facebook post that he was leaving SA for Australia, we have decided to avoid any further potential negative comments around HD hosting the live CSA Awards. We decided to replace him and have no further comments to make in this regard,” said Kazi.
Earlier in the week, Ackerman said that his decision to move was mainly over his family’s security in South Africa, saying that “it is the best one we can make for our little ones at this time”.
“SA has so much potential," Ackerman wrote on Facebook.
“However in my entire life, I don’t think I have ever seen anything more common than something or someone fail to reach their potential. I fear this may be the case with my beautiful country.
“I truly hope that SA does go on to reach its true potential and that crime decreases, corruption slows … and an equal opportunity is there for all.”
Ackerman, 43, who is the son of former SA player Hylton, played four Tests for South Africa scoring 161 runs at an average of 20.12.
