Gary Player - The Legend

Black Knight Responds to Children’s Fund

Nov 1, 2007 | Filed Under: The Player Foundation

It has recently been announced that the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund has withdrawn as a beneficiary of the event hosted by Gary Player that was formerly known as the Nelson Mandela Invitational.

In giving a reason for withdrawing, representatives of the Fund continue to state that it is the controversy surrounding Gary Player’s involvement in a golf course design project in Burma and their wish to protect the good name of Nelson Mandela that has prompted this move.

Furthermore, they maintain that this move was brought about by Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s call for Mr. Mandela to distance himself from Gary Player. The fact is, however, that Archbishop Tutu has subsequently accepted Gary Player’s explanation of Gary Player Design’s short-lived dealings in Burma, made clear in his statement on October 8th. In an e-mail distributed on October 21st to all Trustees and management of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Archbishop Tutu wrote: “Dr Boesak and I have accepted Gary’s position and advised Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund people it would be okay to go ahead.” Clearly Player is not acting in defiance of either Mandela or Tutu.

It is regrettable that, despite this, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund has decided to withdraw from an event that has contributed over R20 million to the two beneficiaries - the NMCF and Gary Player Foundation - due to matters that could have been resolved without bringing the respective reputations of two of South Africa’s greatest sons, Nelson Mandela and Gary Player into account. The tournament has been Player’s way of paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, a man he loves and respects.

It is, however, as stated by Marc Player, CEO of Black Knight International on October 10th, the intention of Black Knight to go ahead with a charity golf event at Arabella at the end of November, whose focus and objectives will be unchanged � to raise charitable funds for South Africa’s neediest children.

For additional information, contact Gida Aden, Gary Player Group, USA.

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