Good times for the fans
BIGGER, bolder and better. That could easily have been the slogan for the inaugural Global T20 League set to revolutionise the landscape in South Africa this summer.
Sport, not just cricket, in this country has desperately needed this kind of tournament. Although the tournament is governed by Cricket South Africa – and they are indeed an owner of one of the teams due to a South African business withdrawing its initial bid – it is primarily a private entity.
Traditionally South African sport teams have been operated by the various provincial unions. For all its historical value, it has often led to outdated and complex resolutions with each union protecting its own stake in the game without taking into account “the bigger picture”.
The Global T20 League is entirely different. Corporate and private investors are the primary stakeholders, with the owners being high-profile businessmen from far afield as Hong Kong, Dubai, Pakistan and India.
Their primary interest is running a successful business, which in turn translates to having a satisfied customer. And that only bodes well for the paying South African cricket fan.
For too long spectators at South African sports venues have been forced to accept inferior standards in comparison to overseas.
While the market for expendable income is, of course, different in South Africa, the Global T20 League will certainly address previous shortcomings.
CSA have already earmarked more than R350 million to be invested on stadium refurbishment and upgrades over the next three years due to the formation of the Global T20 League.
And as we have seen at the various team name launches, the owners are working closely with the local municipalities to provide the people of the region a greater experience at each game, particularly to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stars in Port Elizabeth.
The maiden player draft set to be held at a plush hotel in Cape Town on Sunday has made an immediate impact with the tourism sector in the city receiving a major boost.
There are likely to be teething problems in the initial stages of the Global T20 League. That is undoubted in regards to a project of such magnitude.
But South Africans should certainly give this tournament the best chance to succeed by voting with their feet when the opening game gets under way on November 4.