The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) criticised South Africa’s cricket authorities on Wednesday over the way it awards franchises, saying the system was ”elitist” and ”retrogressive”.
ANCYL spokesperson Monray MacZali said this is a clear indication that South Africa’s cricket authorities are not interested in a programme of transformation.
”It is becoming quite clear that the United Cricket Board of South Africa [UCBSA, the sport’s administration arm] and Cricket South Africa [CSA, the sport’s professional arm] have no intention of ensuring that transformation in cricket indeed becomes a reality,” MacZali said.
”The six franchises have been placed into the hands of the predominantly white, advantaged affiliates of the UCBSA/CSA, and poor, black affiliates have either had to share in franchises where they occupy subservient positions or have been left out altogether.
”We therefore regard the franchise system in its current format as elitist and retrogressive.”
MacZali said the approach of awarding franchises in its current format is ”sick” and this is evidenced by the exclusion of cricket boards such as Griqualand West, which is a transformation leader.
”Their sick approach of awarding franchises and excluding cricket boards such as Griqualand West is a clear indication of them not intending to implement a programme on cricket transformation,” he said.
”We find it remarkable that the UCBSA/CSA has simply disregarded the Northern Cape province and Griqualand West cricket, which are the leaders in transformation and development, for the sake of commercial profit.”
MacZali said the franchise system has widened the gap between the haves and the have-nots. He called on the authorities to reconsider the format of the system.
”The haves have simply bought up the talented and promising black cricketers uncovered and nurtured by the have-nots,” MacZali said.
”The ANC Youth League therefore strongly calls on the UCBSA/CSA to reconsider the franchise system in its current format.”
UCBSA chairperson Gerald Majola said he has not seen the ANCYL’s statement and will comment on it on Thursday morning. — Sapa