Cricket South Africa in shambles ahead of the World Cup 2011
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has been marred by power struggle within the Board, ahead of the World Cup that is scheduled to take place in February in the sub-continent.
The sources in the Board state that the body is having conflictions over a poorly timed bid to oust the President, Mtutuzeli Nyoka. Days of speculation about Nyoka’s future moved ahead when a motion of no confidence was tabled against him late Wednesday.
Media reports suggested that the body’s president received a letter that is dated Wednesday, which notified him of a “special general meeting” to be held in twenty-one day’s time.
The meeting comes in the wake of conflicting reports about a “power struggle” between the higher authorities over the World Cup selection and numerous other decisions regarding the coveted event’s preparations.
Gerald Majola, the CEO of CSA later confirmed that a letter had been signed by the presidents of the body’s 11 provincial affiliates.
However, he declined to comment on the subject of the letter, only mentioning that the meeting will be convened to discuss the order of business within the body.
Whereas, Nyoka commented that he knows that the body moved no confidence against him but dismissed the talks claiming it was a personal issue.
“This is about whether things that are happening in cricket are happening in the best interests of the game,” Nyoka stated.
Nyoka did not hide his disappointment over the body’s move and lamented the “aberrational behaviour” of some authorities in the Board.
“There is a pattern of aberrational behaviour that has been going on for so long that people have forgotten what is right and what is wrong,” he said.
Nyoka however said that he will resign if the board want this, but needs everything in “black and white.”
The President’s oust is poorly timed as it came amidst an ongoing One Day series against India and just before a month when South Africa plays their first World Cup match in India.
Yet, the matter had been brewing for months as the two powerful men in CSA fight for control of the game.
A few months back, Nyoka insisted on probity in an investigation of family travel costs and bonuses paid to Majola. The President set up an independent review committee to investigate the “unauthorised payment” of 4.7 million rand ($641,000) in performance
bonuses to forty employees, including the CEO after hosting the ICC Champions Trophy and the 2009 IPL tournament.
The federation’s President has been at loggerheads with the Board stressing on the fact that the money went into the recipients’ accounts without going through the remunerations committee of CSA. Nyoka moved a decision to carry out an external inquiry; however
CSA opted for an internal inquiry.
Majola especially was the target of the scam as his share was the largest; 1.77 million rand ($241,000). The chief executive, under immense pressure declared the amount to the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s Revenue Service and decided to repay the total amount.
The case was resolved after it was found that the family travel expenses were done “legitimately” but Majola was cautioned against “an error of judgement.”
This spat is believed to have caused a rift between the two think-tanks of CSA. A source claimed that there was a “general breakdown” between their relationship and it was apparent in recent times that there was room for one of them in the Board.
The South African cricket is apparently in crisis. South African cricket enthusiasts and media criticised the announcement of the 15 man World Cup squad that was announced virtually in the middle of the night. The announcement came at a time when the Proteas
lost their second consecutive ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
The revolt that was unfolding in the corridors of CSA, might have contributed to the fact that convener of the selectors Andrew Hudson and his panel left out the more experienced players out of the squad.
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