SA cricket sponsor demands resignations

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa’s embattled board suffered a new blow on Thursday when a second major sponsor said it would only continue its association with the game if leading officials resigned.

Insurance company Momentum said it had outlined terms to CSA for its continued backing of the sport. Momentum’s move followed an announcement by Standard Bank last week that it would not renew its sponsorship when its contract expired at the end of the season, claiming controversies surrounding CSA were harming the bank’s reputation.

Jeanette Marais, deputy chief executive of Momentum, said the company demanded the resignation of the board, alternatively the resignation of president Chris Nenzani and vice-president Beresford Williams, and an independent financial audit of CSA.

Marais said Momentum had also told CSA it wanted the appointment of a lead independent director “with relevant experience” and the appointment of an independent director with on-field cricket experience, as well as the resolving of issues between CSA and the SA Cricketers’ Association.

Marais said Momentum insisted that CSA address its governance issues immediately and resolve them by April 30 next year.

Momentum are sponsors of South African one-day internationals and a one-day domestic competition as well as club, schools and age group cricket. The CSA board, which last week suspended chief executive Thabang Moroe, have refused to resign.