The former cricketer turned commentator Michael Holding opened on racism in a talkshow with the director of women Surrey cricket Ebony Rainford-Brent.

“It’s not their job to eradicate racism, rather this is a problem in society. Yes, the sporting organizations must do whatever they can within their sport, but it’s important that whoever it is that is getting the opportunity to play the respective sport, they have a clean mind and that is where society plays an important role.”

The Windies great while talking about recently concluded first test “I had England as clear favourites going into this series but the West Indian players have come over here and showed a great deal of commitment, character and a lot of skill to defeat England. They put in an excellent effort and undoubtedly deserved the victory.”

He is of the opinion that society needs to be cleaned first and then everything falls into place. He further emphasizes ” I care a lot about racism in society and I believe that you have to first cleanse society and only then will you have no problems in sport.”

“The people from society play sports and it is people from the same society who go to watch those sports. We need people who lead and who teach in this society, to do the leading and to do the teaching. If that happens then by the time those people get to playing or watching sport, it won’t matter because they will have learnt what life is all about and they will have already ditched racism.”