Photo Credit: South Africa Rugby
Mr Richards passed away in the early hours of Friday morning on the 7th of May 2021. Tributes are pouring in from all over the country on the passing of Mr “Baby” Richards, a real stalwart of Non-Racial Sport in this country.
He was an all-round sportsman excelling in cricket, tennis, swimming, rugby, and bodybuilding. It was ultimately in rugby that Mr Richards had excelled as a player, referee and an excellent administrator. He started out his career as a scrum half at the Arabian College Football Club. In the club he served as a player, captain, secretary and later as chairman. Mr Richards was also the chairperson of the GW Referees Association for many years.
“Uncle Baby” as he was fondly called followed in the huge footsteps of Mr AR Abass both at club level, Provincial level and later National level. He was seen as the doyen of Non-Racial sport and was a key figure in the unity of Rugby in the late 90’s. He became the President of Griqua Rugby after Unity and was instrumental in the renaming of the Union Grounds to the AR Abass Rugby Stadium in Kimberley.
Mr Richards married into another sporting family in Kimberley when he married Sadia Alexander, the sister to the late Igsaan, late Tasliem, Rashart and Ali Alexander. Mr Baby Richards was a prominent businessman in Kimberley, highly respected community man and was actively involved, before illness set in, in the activities of the Muslim Community.
Among the Tributes a quote from Boland Cricket: “The older generation remember the exploits of Baby Richards on the tennis courts, swimming pools and rugby fields, while my generation admire him for his principled stance that paved the way for the opportunities that the younger generation now enjoy.”
Former SARU Chairman, Mr. Brian van Rooyen:” It is with sadness that we have learned of the passing of Uncle Baby. I served with Uncle Baby on the SA Rugby Executive, Hamba Kahle Uncle Baby.”
As Northern Cape Cricket we lost a sporting Icon and a friend, and we pray that the Almighty grant him a high place in Paradise. Our sincere condolences to Aunty Sadia, her children and the extended Richards and Alexander families.
Rest Well Mr. Baby Richards.
