More than 1000 will lose jobs if board derecognised, write CSA staff members

Women's CricZone Staff

25 Apr 2021

New Update

More than 1000 will lose jobs if board derecognised, write CSA staff members — CSA Director of Cricket Graeme Smith. © Getty

Cricket South Africa(CSA) staff members, including the former men's cricketer and the director of cricket Graeme Smith, have issued a joint statement warning about the job loss for more than 1000 people who are involved with the association, if the government deregulates the board.

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, a letter, signed by all 72 members, was issued on Saturday(April 24) afternoon asking the Members' Council and Interim Board to hold a meeting to avoid the devastating effect the government's move could have on them.

"This intervention not only has the potential to put our jobs at risk, but also the jobs of people employed at our Member Boards. It also has the potential to set us back in terms of any sponsorships that CSA has acquired and any future sponsors who wish to be aligned to this great game, thereby affecting the day-to-day operations," the letter reads.

ALSO READ: Cricket South Africa closer to being derecognised by South Africa’s Sports Minister

Earlier, Nathi Mthethwa, the Sports Minister of South Africa, invoked Section 13 of the National Sports and Recreation Act derecognising CSA's authority to run cricket in the country. Once it is in place, CSA could not act as the official governing body, and as a result, both men's and women's teams could not represent the country in international cricket.

In the letter, the staff members have said that they believe that an intervention of this nature would mean the disruption and destruction of all grassroots initiatives and ongoing projects and the loss of more than 1000 jobs.

"These jobs affect the following, but not limited to, CSA staff, Member Board staff, cricket media, suppliers, sponsorship & hospitality services," the letter read.

ALSO READ: South Africa captains, Cricketers’ Association apologize to fans, sponsors for CSA mess

As per the report in ESPNCricinfo, the minister would be able to go back in his decision provided the 14 provincial presidents agree to the new memorandum of incorporation that proposes a framework for a majority independent chair.

It seems that the board members prefer a majority non-independent board with individuals from the member's council. Though the deadline to decide is not clear, it has been understood that the board members have a week to resolve the issue, and failing to do so would lead to a catastrophe where we might not have a South African team in international cricket.

ICC South Africa csa Graeme Smith