Turmoil in Cricket South Africa as Haroon Lorgat quits
The body's chief executive and board had been on a collision course over the soaring costs and management of the new T20 Global League.
Former CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat has called the intervention by government into cricket’s affairs “a terrible situation”. Picture: Getty Images
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has been thrown into turmoil after confirming its chief executive Haroon Lorgat resigned.
His departure is with immediate effect.
As a result, the local governing body now has to frantically plug the gap left by him with the T20 Global League (T20GL) just more than a month away.
Also read: CSA’s new T20 league is already raising a nasty stink
Ironically, it was exactly because of the new glitzy tournament that Lorgat and CSA parted ways.
Chris Nenzani, CSA president, confirmed the split “due to a breakdown in the relationship between the board and the chief executive.”
It’s understood the board had grown increasingly frustrated with Lorgat’s handling of the T20GL.
Corporate governance surrounding the recruitment of owners for the franchises has been dubious, while Lorgat was also flagged for failing to keep costs down.
According to CSA’s latest financial statements, already R4.5 million had been spent on getting the T20GL up and running.
And that’s only for the last financial year.
CSA also haven’t secured any broadcasting rights for the tournament in South Africa or India, placing the financial viability of the competition in doubt.
Lorgat and CSA’s chief financial officer, Nassei Appiah, were also at loggerheads due to Appiah apparently being sidelined in the rights negotiations.
“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.”
In turn, Lorgat said: “I would like to thank the Board for their wholesome support during my time, especially in my early years at CSA. It is most unfortunate that we must part ways in this manner, but it is the best way forward for CSA.”
Thabang Moroe, CSA’s vice-president, has been appointed interim CEO but the federation will advertise the position.
