/ 3 June 2007

Percy Sonn buried in Cape Town

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Percy Sonn, who died last weekend following complications after undergoing minor colon surgery, was laid to rest in Cape Town on Saturday.

Hundreds of people gathered at St George’s cathedral in the city centre for a funeral service, according to an Agence France-Presse photographer.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed paid tribute to Sonn (57), the first African to head the ICC.

South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel was among the mourners.

Born on September 25 1949, Percival Henry Frederick Sonn, known as Percy, dedicated much of his life to cricket and became an administrator while still a teenager with his club side, Bellville South.

Sonn was elected ICC president in June 2006 after successfully heading the United Cricket Board of South Africa, where he played an integral part in the integration of South Africa into the world game after the end of apartheid.

Away from cricket, Sonn was a lawyer and became a legal advisor to the South African Police Service.

He leaves his wife, Sandra, and three children. – Sapa