New Zealand PM chooses World Cup final over Lee funeral | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

New Zealand PM chooses World Cup final over Lee funeral

AFP | By, Wellington
Mar 29, 2015 09:29 AM IST

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key believes he has made the right decision to be in Melbourne for the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday rather than attend the state funeral for Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key believes he has made the right decision to be in Melbourne for the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday rather than attend the state funeral for Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew.

New-Zealand-Prime-Minister-John-Key-waves-to-fans-ahead-of-the-2015-Cricket-World-Cup-final-between-Australia-and-New-Zealand-in-Melbourne-AFP-Photo
New-Zealand-Prime-Minister-John-Key-waves-to-fans-ahead-of-the-2015-Cricket-World-Cup-final-between-Australia-and-New-Zealand-in-Melbourne-AFP-Photo

Instead, Governor-General Jerry Mateparae will represent New Zealand in Singapore.

"It was a difficult decision because obviously I want to go to both," Key told reporters.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

He described Lee as "a close and long-time friend of New Zealand" and said that Mateparae, as New Zealand's head of state, was more senior than the prime minister.

Key said he had decided before New Zealand's semi-final, when they beat South Africa with only one ball to spare, that if his nation made the final he would attend.

"I think that's the right call," he said. New Zealand plays Australia in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"Our two countries have a special rivalry. Over the years we have been treated to some truly exceptional sporting clashes and I expect this one will be no different."

However, his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott is bypassing the cricket and will join other regional leaders in Singapore for Lee's funeral.

Lee "was a leading international statesman of his time, and laid the foundation upon which successive Singaporean and Australian governments have built a strong relationship," Abbott said in a statement last week.

Leaders from Japan, South Korea, India and Indonesia are also attending the funeral.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and exclusive insights on the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times Website and Apps.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On