Dubai: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has plunged the owners of the proposed T20 Global League (T20GL) into huge disappointment after refusing to fulfil their commitment to them and are mow going ahead with their plans to start another T20 tournament without including them.
The T20GL, which include Dubai-based Ajay Sethi, have now reacted strongly after meetings in Dubai and Mumbai by deciding to take legal action against CSA.
- Ajay Sethi | Nelson Madela Bay Stars Port Elizabeth owner
Speaking to Gulf News, Sethi, who owns the Nelson Mandela Bay Stars Port Elizabeth team in the T20 Global League, said: “It is clear that CSA are not committed to fulfilling their side of the deal with the bona fide T20GL owners. It is also evident that there is no interest among the CSA leadership to go ahead with the T20 Global League in its original format. The owners have no option but to go the legal route and consider all legal options to protect our interests.”
The meetings in Dubai and Mumbai were attended by owners and representatives of Nelson Mandela Bay Stars, Durban Qalandars, Joburg Giants, Stellenbosch Kings and Pretoria Mavericks. “CSA did pay some of our expenses but we have perpetual rights on being appointed owners,” added Sethi. “This is the first time in the history that any federation has done this way to the owners.
“This kind of breach of trust will affect any investment from the private sector in future. They have continuously changed their position and have shown to have no interest in working with the current T20 Global League owners.
The year the new T20 Global League was announced by CSA
“We now strongly feel they don’t wish to fulfil their commitment towards the owners. We will now consider all legal options to protect our interests.”
In June, CSA announced that a new T20 tournament will be staged by them in November and December this year instead of the T20 Global League.
“All owners were awarded perpetual ownerships of teams,” said Sethi. “We as owners had fulfilled their obligations. The T20GL was postponed without keeping owners fully in the loop. The owners also strongly believe in the potential the T20GL has to benefit the sport in South Africa. We are extremely disappointed and angered by the unethical behaviour demonstrated by the leadership of CSA.”
Indian Premier League team Delhi Daredevils had bought the Joburg Giants team while Bollywood actress Preity Zinta had bought Stellenbosch Kings team. Javed Afridi the owner of Pakistan Super League’s Peshawar Zalmi had also bought Benoni Zalmi. Sethi revealed that CSA has planned their new league on Australia’s Big Bash League model in which there is no private ownership.
Thabang Moroe, the CSA Chief Executive Officer has informed media that the new league will be structurally different from T20GL and that the six teams will be selected through an independent draft.
