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Hansie, no tragic hero

BlSHWAJIT Roy in Bloemfontein
If someone somehow gets to know that you are in the beautiful city of Bloemfontein to cover the cricket series or you have any link with the game then there's no way out for you, he or she will make you go to at least one place which is the prestigious Grey College.
The reason behind the interest is simple as one of their sporting heroes had studied in this institution and he is none other than the deceased South African skipper Hansie Cronje, who was voted the 11th greatest South African in 2004 despite having been banned for life from professional cricket for his role in a match-fixing scandal.
In it's 153-year history the institution has produced many sportsmen, especially in Rugby and cricket, as there has been emphasis on the importance of discipline, dedication and hard work, but still there has been special feeling for the former South Africa captain despite his all wrong doings.
At the first sight two Bangladeshi reporters easily got the impression why this institution is related with the sports fraternity. On the vast campus there are number of grounds and none
of these was idle then. Most of the students were playing rugby as it's a winter game. Ln summer, cricket matches take place in different grounds. Football and hockey are also very popular among the students.
The first one to come across the visiting reporters was a five-year-old pre-primary school student. Krocca.
"Do you knowHansie Cronje?’
"Yeah, died in a plane crash" was Krocca’s simple answer.
Understandable, at Krocca’s age one will only remember the unfortunate death of their school hero who died on June 1, 2002 when a cargo plane crashed on Cradock Peak in the Outeniqua mountain range at the age of just 32.
But Pierre Hugo, who has been involved with the traditional institution for the last twenty-two years as a teacher, have had fond memories with Cronje but the gentleman was not ready to make any comment on their favourite son's involvement in match-fixing.
"He was a student of class twelve when I joined the school. To us he [Hansie Cronje] was Wessel Johannes and he was known as Hansie Cronje only after he played the game in the highest level. I don't want to make any comments on the allegations against him," said Pierre, an affectionate follower of cricket.
"What I can only say is he is still a hero and that's why the authority kept his ashes with the other greats' ashes of this institution. I can still remember he was leading the school team. He was already a hero,” he said adding that they remember Hansie in every sporting occasion.
When asked whether they were upset by the allegations against their great son, the aged teacher said, "I'm afraid
to talk about the issue. One man can make a mistake."
Pierre then showed more interest to talk about their school as he said that they gave equal importance in education and sports and that's why this institution produced so many qualitysportsmen.
Pierre added that their principal Johan Volstecdt would be able to give more information about Cronje.
"You know Kepler Wessels, another former South Africa
captain, is also student of this school? Cronje also played rugby at school level? Please meet our principal because he can give you more information about Cronje as he is very keen about him."
Principal Volsteedt however was busy in a meeting but showed his interest to talk about Cronje over telephone.
Not the top man only, all are proud of Hansie Cronje and they are not even ready to brand him a "tragic hero".