Sonn facing uphill battle for survival

Percy Sonn, the controversial president of the South African cricket board (UCB), is facing an increasingly uphill battle to hold on to his job.

The South African government took the remarkable step of publicly rebuking Sonn for what they described as his "unhelpful conduct", "disrespectful attitude", and "poor leadership". The comments came during a presentation to the government's committee on sport and recreation by the UCB, but Sonn wasn't present to hear the remarks - adding to the committee's anger. He absented himself citing "professional commitments".

The clash is not unexpected. In the last year the UCB and the government have become increasingly distanced over the issue of racial quotas. The UCB has scrapped the quota system even thought the government has repeatedly said that there has not been sufficient progress made for that to happen.

At the end of the meeting, Ruth Bhengu, chair of the committee, left the UCB in no doubt that Sonn was not the person the government expected to be in charge. "I challenge you to rectify the attitude of and the manner in which your president conducts himself," she said. "Sonn is unhelpful. His attitude is not in the interests of the UCB or the country and has to be rectified. If you're entrusted with a leadership position, you must display leadership by acting correctly and respecting others. Should you not display those qualities, you serve neither the UCB nor the country."

It has not been a good few months for Sonn. What should have been one of his finest hours, the hosting of the World Cup, turned sour when he appeared to be drunk at a match and complaints were made about his inappropriate behaviour. Sonn subsequently apologised.

Asked to explain his absence, Sonn's reply was hardly aimed to quell suggestions that his conduct could be seen as unhelpful.. He refused to explain details of the commitments which caused him to miss the key meeting, adding that: "If the minister has something to say to me, I'm sure he can tell me himself."

Sonn is up for re-election in August.