Asmal to chair franchise committee

After its first operational season, Gerald Majola, the CEO of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, has announced the appointment of Professor Kader Asmal, the former South African minister of education, as chair of the Franchise Review Committee for domestic cricket. Asmal will be joined by a second independent member, John Smith, who chaired the ministerial committee on South Africa cricket affairs.

"We are particularly pleased to have professor Asmal as chair because of his wide knowledge of cricket, his passion for the game, and his credibility as a champion for the progress of our youth through sport," Majola stated in a press release. "It is also an asset to have John Smith on the committee because he has an enviable record as a sports administrator and gained an in-depth insight into South African cricket when he chaired the Ministerial Committee into South African Cricket Affairs."

Asmal was pleased to be appointed to chair the committee as it was vital to ensure the sustainability of South African cricket.

Other members of the committee include Rob Kurz, vice president and chair of the board franchise criteria sub committee; Adv. Norman Arendse, chair of the board legal and corporate governance sub committee, and Majola. Asmal and Smith will provide the final recommendations to the general council by end of April, with the UCBSA members providing organisational assistance to them.

"In this way, we will bring detachment and impartiality to the recommendations to General Council for final decision," said Majola.

The stakeholders - including the franchises, affiliates, sponsors and the South Africa cricketers' association, have been asked to submit written submissions by March 31 2005. The existing six franchises are: Nashua Dolphins, Highveld Lions, Nashua Titans, Goodyear Eagles, Mercedez-Benz Eastern Cape Cricket and Nashua Western Province-Boland.