Will fight to seek ICC approval: Usman Khawaja on ‘All lives are equal’ slogan on his shoes
Perth, Dec 13: Australia opener Usman Khawaja vowed to fight for his right to express humanitarian views on the field after ICC disallowed him from wearing written messages on his shoes, apparently with reference to the war in Gaza, when the first Test against Pakistan begins here on Thursday.
The charismatic cricketer of Pakistani origin had "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right" clearly visible on his batting spikes during Tuesday's training session and was reportedly planning to wear them during the inaugural Test.
However, the ICC regulations prohibit such acts, and it was confirmed earlier on Wednesday that the 36-year-old batter will not wear those spikes.
In a video posted on 'X', titled, "All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights", Khawaja defended his action saying, "What I've written on my shoes is not political. I'm not taking sides.
"Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life and so on. I'm just speaking up for those who don't have a voice," said Khawaja.
Reportedly, Khawaja had not shared his decision to wear the spikes with the two messages with his teammates before training, and it got noticed later.
The cricketer has been posting messages on social media referring to the ongoing war in Gaza, which has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.
"For everyone who did get offended (with my act), somehow just ask yourself these questions. Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal? I'm not taking sides. I'm just speaking up for those who don't have a voice," said Khawaja.
"This is close to my heart. When I see thousands of innocent children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls. What if this was them. My heart can't take it.
"The ICC have told me that I can't wear my shoes on field because they believe its a political statement under their guidelines. I don't believe it is so; it's a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their (ICC) view and decision. But I will fight it and seek to gain approval," he added.
In a statement Cricket Australia said on Wednesday that, "We support the right of our players to express personal opinions. But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold."
Australia skipper Pat Cummins said Khawaja will not wear those spikes during the Test.
"I spoke to him just quickly and (Khawaja) said he won't be (wearing those spikes)... I think what was on the shoes, 'all lives are equal', I support that," said Cummins.
In 2019, during a period of increased tensions with Pakistan, the India team was allowed to wear camouflage military-style caps in an ODI against Australia. India has said that the caps were a tribute to lives lost in a terror attack and the armed forces.
All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you... pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
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Noida International Airport appoints Nitu Samra as interim CEO
New Delhi (PTI): Noida International Airport on Friday announced the appointment of its Chief Financial Officer Nitu Samra as the interim Chief Executive Officer after authorities denied permission for foreign national Christoph Schnellmann to be at the helm.
"This change follows directions issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) that the Chief Executive Officer of an airport in India is required to be an Indian national," NIA said in a statement.
Samra will replace Schnellmann, a Swiss national who has led Noida International Airport (NIA) as the CEO since August 2020.
The regulatory issue related to the requirement of having an Indian national as CEO has been delaying the start of commercial operations of the airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28.
Schnellmann will join the airport's Board of Directors as Executive Vice Chairman. In this role, he will continue to support the project and its transition to operations, the statement said.
With immediate effect, NIA said Samra has been appointed as the CEO on an interim basis until the Board of Directors can conclude a formal selection process.
Samra has been serving as the CFO since October 2021 and was closely involved in the airport’s development journey, overseeing financial stewardship, governance, and strategic planning during a key phase of the project, the statement added.
NIA will be operated by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, under a public-private partnership.
Originally scheduled to commence passenger services in September 2024, NIA is being developed in four phases, along with a dedicated cargo terminal. It received an aerodrome license from the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in March.
YIAPL Chairman Daniel Bircher said that since the inauguration of the airport by the Prime Minister, the goal was to enable the start of operations as early as possible.
"This management change brings the airport into compliance with Bureau of Civil Aviation Security requirements while maintaining continuity in the airport’s leadership team. The newly structured team will support a smooth transition into operations, guided by clear and transparent governance and a strong corporate culture," he said.
On March 28, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said commercial flight operations from the airport would start in the next 45 to 60 days.
Among the largest greenfield airport projects in the country, NIA will initially have a capacity to handle 12 million passengers per annum.
Once fully developed, the airport will have a total passenger handling capacity of 70 million.
The first phase of NIA has been developed at an investment of around Rs 11,200 crore. 'DXN' is the code for the airport.
The airport features a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, along with modern navigation systems, including Instrument Landing System (ILS) and advanced airfield lighting.
The peak handling capacity in the first phase will be 30 flights per hour.
In the first phase, there will be 28 aircraft stands, and the projected cargo capacity is around 2.5 lakh tonnes.
Terminal 1 of the airport is spread across 1,37,985 square metres with 48 check-in counters. Over 40 acres of land have been earmarked for developing MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facilities at the airport.
