FORMER WEST INDIES CRICKETER KENNETH BENJAMIN JOINS THE CALL IN SPEAKING OUT AGAINST MANDATORY VACCINES FOR ATHLETES
Former West Indies cricketer Kenneth Benjamin is not in agreement with mandatory vaccination of players of competitive sports.
The government says that it will be a requirement for players and those associated with the games, including coaches, to get the jab before they are allowed to return to active competition.
Competitive sporting activities in Antigua and Barbuda have been cancelled for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many people including clubs have been asking when competitions will return, but mandatory vaccination will be a prerequisite, the government says, including for patrons.
Benjamin sees this as a move to force people into taking the jab.
Leon “Kuma” Rodney, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association also said that he is not in agreement with the mandatory vaccination of players.
Rodney had indicated that while the attention is being placed on competitive sports there are a number of leisure sporting activities which take place on the weekend which attract dozens of people.
He questioned why the same standard is not being maintained for these individuals.
Benjamin agrees and says that the thinking smacks on idiocy.
He is calling on the government to revisit this decision, citing that the Association has written to the Minister of Sports Daryl Matthew to outline its concerns.
