MUMBAI: After Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani confirmed the shock news Thursday that CSA and its chief executive Haroon Lorgat had "mutually" agreed to part ways with immediate effect, the immediate question revolved around the fate of the former ICC CEO's "personal project" - the upcoming T20 Global League.
Nenzani stated that the reason was due to a breakdown in the relationship between the board and its chief executive. CSA vice president Thabang Moroe will be acting CEO till a new chief executive has been appointed.
With only a little over a month to go for the league's kick-off on November 3, reports coming out of South Africa indicate the big bone of contention - the lack of a broadcast deal in place as yet - will in all likelihood be resolved soon. In this regard, an announcement of an agreement with the continent's dominant sportscaster SuperSport is expected "within days".
ESPNcricinfo reports that though Lorgat was largely dealing with the franchise owners, all eight met with the CSA board on Wednesday and were reassured the tournament will not face any hurdles despite its till now driving force no longer being involved.
What will now be awaited is information on two critical aspects. The first being the commercial terms under which CSA signs on the dotted line with SuperSport.
And the second being the role play, if any, in the negotiations of Ortus Sport & Entertainment, currently the sole agent for CSA’s T20 Global League’s broadcast rights. For the record, Ortus was set up in April by former Lagardère executive Venu Nair.
Statement issued by CSA following Lorgat's exit in full:
Cricket South Africa president, Chris Nenzani, confirmed today (Thursday) that CSA and chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, has mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.
Nenzani stated that the reason was due to a breakdown in the relationship between the board and the chief executive.
“We recently tried on a few occasions to remedy the situation between Mr Lorgat and the board, but we have not been successful in finding a satisfactory resolution,” said Nenzani.
“The Board unanimously felt that it was in the best interest of the organization that we agreed to a mutual separation agreement with Mr Lorgat.”
“It was a tough call for us to make and we recognize that Mr Lorgat had made a big contribution to the success of the organization and together with the board was instrumental in changing the fortunes of CSA when it had endured a troublesome period 5 years ago.”
“We are all saddened by this turn of events, but at the same time we need to look forward to ensure new leadership at CSA builds on the solid foundation laid by Mr Lorgat. On behalf of all of us at CSA, I would like to thank Haroon for his excellent leadership and sterling contribution and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
“We look forward to see him in the future.” concluded Nenzani.
“I would like to thank the board for their wholesome support during my time, especially in my early years (emphasis ours) at CSA. It is most unfortunate that we must part ways in this manner, but it is the best way forward for CSA,” commented Lorgat.
“It was an honour to lead the organization and I am proud of what we have achieved over the past few years to make CSA widely recognized as the best run sports federation in South Africa,”
“I must take this opportunity to sincerely thank all my staff, our players, the wonderful set of commercial partners, the media and every other person that I have had the pleasure of engaging with during my term,” concluded Lorgat.
CSA vice president, Thabang Moroe, has been appointed by the board as the acting CEO, while the search for a new CEO begins.
Related Report
Haroon Lorgat exits CSA: Report
Picture courtesy: Crictracker.com
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