Cricket South Africa (CSA) has reportedly named Indian-origin businessman Haroon Lorgat as its new chief executive officer (CEO), after getting a positive nod from the powerful Indian cricket authorities.
According to Sport24, the position had not been filled on a permanent basis, since former CEO Gerald Majola was suspended and eventually sacked in 2010 for his part in the long-running bonus scandal, which followed the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament hosted by South Africa.
The report further said that the other two candidates for the position were reportedly football club Kaizer Chiefs boss Bheki Shongwe and media corporation Kagiso Media's Murphy Morobe.
Confirming Lorgat's appointment, CSA president Chris Nenzani stated that the appointment has followed a thorough and rigorous process to fill the position, and expressed his gratitude to the sub-committee of the board and his colleagues for bringing the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.
The report further said that even though Lorgat served as the ICC chief from 2008 to 2012 and had served in various capacities within CSA prior to his overseas appointment, the CSA was reluctant to appoint him and upset the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with whom it had enjoyed a special relationship.
According to the report, Lorgat, during his ICC tenure, had taken a firm stand against the pressure applied by the BCCI and in the process made himself unpopular, and the CSA feared losing the lucrative Indian tour of South Africa scheduled for the end of the year.
However, the report added, a change in the higher ranks of BCCI, and their subsequent nod of approval, smoothed the way for CSA to finally fill the post after months of postponing their decision.
