FOX Sports commentator Isa Guha has issued a heartfelt apology after her ill-advised decision to refer to a cricketer as a “primate” on air.
Guha made a very questionable statement while speaking about Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah during a test match between Australia and India on Sunday.
“Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? Most valuable primate,” she said. “He is the one that’s going to do all the talking for India, and why so much focus was on him in the buildup to this Test match, and whether he would be fit.”
#IsaGuha, on Sunday, came under fire after she made a racially sensitive statement on #JaspritBumrah. today: five overs, 2-4. So, that’s the tone, and that’s what you want from the ex-skipper,” Lee said. To which Guha added: “Well, he’s the MVP, isn’t he? Most valuable primate. pic.twitter.com/vQv1rKGSFP
— APNU GUJARAT NEW ZEALAND (@APNU_GUJARAT_NZ) December 15, 2024
Isa Guha has since issued an apology in which she insisted she didn’t mean to cause any offense and was actually praising Bumrah.
“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways,” she said. “Firstly, I’d like to apologize for any offense caused. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect for others and if you listen to the full transcript I only meant the highest praise for one of India’s greatest players and someone that I admire greatly as well.”
“I am an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game. I am trying to frame the enormity of his achievements and I have chosen the wrong word and for that I am deeply sorry.”
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral General stories via Google! Follow Us
Isa Guha Points To Her Own Heritage
Isa Guha said she hoped folks would see that no malice was intended, given the context of her statement and the fact that she is also of South Asian heritage.
“As someone who is also … of South Asian heritage, I hope people would recognize there was no other intention or malice there,” she added. “I hope this doesn’t overshadow what has been a great Test match so far and I look forward to seeing how it progresses. Once again, I am really, really sorry.”
Guha’s colleagues commended her bravery before claiming, “People are entitled to make mistakes.”
