Rugby star condemns China's treatment of Uighur Muslims
Rugby star Sonny Bill Williams has spoken publicly for the first time about China's treatment of its minority Uighur Muslim community, telling Sky News he is "only embarrassed I don't speak up enough".
The New Zealander has recently become the highest paid rugby star in history in either code after signing for transatlantic rugby league side Toronto Wolfpack in a deal believed to be worth £5m over two years.
The Super League needs an overhaul to attract new sponsors, as well as a broadcast deal, and it's hoped Williams - who has won two rugby union World Cups with the All Blacks - can inject some superstar quality.
Williams, who converted to Islam 10 years ago while playing for Toulon in France, has also joined a growing trend of athlete activism.
In December, he posted an image on social media of a hand with the Chinese flag gripping on to a bloody arm representing East Turkmenistan, the former name of China's Xinjiang province.
Below the picture, Williams wrote: "It's a sad time when we choose economic benefits over humanity."
It was an open condemnation of the detention of more than a million Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province in what China says are "anti-extremist re-education centres".
Williams told Sky News he had been a longtime and vocal supporter "of our brothers and sisters in China".
"They are in the detention camps over there and facing disgusting injustices," he continued.
"For myself, I just speak my truth. Sometimes I get it wrong but in this instance I definitely know I'm not."
Williams said: "Sometimes you can speak your truth, whether that can get you offside with people or not.
"But I've always been one to stand up, not just for myself, but for what I feel is right - and in that situation, that's all it was."
The second row is not the first sports star to publicly condemn China for its treatment of Uighur Muslims.
Arsenal footballer and German-born Muslim of Turkish origin, Mesut Ozil, also tweeted his criticism.
The country reacted by taking Arsenal matches off state television and deleting Ozil from video games.
But Williams said he wouldn't be deterred by a potential backlash.
"You think you know what is hard, what is pressure, what are tough situations," he said.
"But then, take yourself out from where you are. We wake up everyday and we can do what we want. But there's people around the world that can't even eat, that have to watch out for bombs being dropped on their heads."
Williams continued: "When it comes to that situation of being able to speak up as sportsman, I'm almost embarrassed to say that I don't speak up enough.
"That's not just as a Muslim, but that's as a human as well. You know, there's many atrocities going on around the world that you know you can't even fathom. So here we are, and we are just trying our best."
Williams will spend half the season in Toronto and half in Manchester and is expected to make his super league debut against Castleford today.
However, he will then have a break to return to New Zealand where his wife is expected to give birth to the couple's fourth child.
"I definitely miss my kids and my wife," he said.
"But you know, with hardship comes ease. Being away, if your mindset is set in a way where you look at pressure as challenges, you get excited by those. I'm excited to have my young family over here and let them see a bit of sunny England."
Williams said he was also excited to travel with his family to Canada to show his family the country and meet new people, adding "there's always that element of 'man' I changed some nappies tonight".
Williams, 34, is widely considered to be among the best rugby player in history, but has only begun training with Toronto Wolfpack this month.
He has not played a rugby league match in more than five years, so there will be plenty of attention focused on him on the field as well as off it.
Source: Sky News
