Cricket South Africa
The Proteas may be the world’s top Test team, but Haroon Lorgat, CEO of Cricket South Africa, has warned that the disappointment of missing out on the hosting rights for major ICC competitions over the next ten years could have a detrimental effect on the next generation of players and fans in the country.
Speaking exclusively to sportindustry.co.za ahead of the Sport Industry Summit, which returns to Johannesburg for a second year on 24th October 2013 and is backed by each of Cricket SA, SA Rugby and SAFA, former ICC chief Lorgat warned: “Apart from the fact that we will not be able to exploit extra opportunities to generate revenues, the real disappointment is that all of us will be deprived of the experience of a major global event and that must inevitably impact on the growth of the game, particularly at grass roots level.
“It also denies the country any consequential benefits of hosting such a major event. We have seen the positive spin off that the previous rugby, cricket and soccer World Cups have had on our country.”
After a number of controversies that have affected Cricket SA in recent years, the new CEO acknowledged the importance of the governing body ensuring its own operations are top class as it seeks to drive the further development of the sport.
“All our stakeholders, particularly our fans, media and sponsors, have high expectations and the days of sponsors simply handing over large sums of money are long since gone,” he said. “They are entitled to not only expect a return on their investment but also to have confidence from knowing that South African sport is well governed and in compliance with high ethical standards.
“Being constantly in the spotlight has a natural impact on the way an organisation operates.”
Lorgat added: “We need to build a world-class administration and this will also be an early focus for me.”
World-class administration will be high on the agenda at the Sport Industry Summit, which will once again be held at Deloitte’s Johannesburg office on October 24th, bringing together the entire South African sport industry.
