Cricket SA pours fuel on its reputation and lights a match
WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SIT WITH THESE JOURNALISTS TO EXPRESS THE FACT THAT WHAT THEY ARE REPORTING IS FACTUALLY INCORRECT
Thabang Moroe CEO of Cricket SA
CONTRARY TO MEDIA REPORTS, I HAVE NOT BEEN APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF CRICKET BY CRICKET SA
Graeme Smith Former SA cricket captain
One of the lesserknown ironies of Cricket SA revoking the accreditation of five journalists at the weekend and having a full-on whinge about the media is that it happened on the same day a cynically leaked and horribly misleading story appeared in the Sunday Times.
It concerned the appointment of former national captain Graeme Smith as the organisation’s first director of cricket. The article’s headline stated he had been appointed. In fact, when Smith withdrew his name from contention two weeks ago he began planning his future elsewhere and started by signing a contract to commentate on the Indian Premier League. Various other deals that had been waiting in his in-tray were also concluded.
It was only a desperate plea from Cricket SA president Chris Nenzani that persuaded Smith back for another meeting. On Monday he made it clear that he was a long way from being appointed, or even seeing eye to eye on most matters.
“Contrary to media reports, I have not been appointed director of cricket by Cricket SA. As previously advised, I withdrew my application for the role. I am, however, in ongoing discussions with Cricket SA, but I still have real concerns, which I have reiterated to them,” Smith said.
Top of the list of concerns is almost certainly the current CEO, Thabang Moroe. One of Smith’s greatest strengths as a cricketer was knowing his strengths and weaknesses, and that attribute remains firmly in place. He would need a strong and experienced CEO to work with if there is any hope of turning the organisation around. Moroe is not that man.
Given the chance to clarify matters on radio regarding the accreditation revocations of some journalists, it was difficult to imagine anyone in a management position, in any industry, with less understanding of a free press. It was even harder to imagine why he would have spoken so many untruths.
“We have been trying to sit with these journalists to express the fact that what they are reporting is factually incorrect. We revoked their access to the stadium but that does not stop them from watching the game,” Moroe told bewildered host Bongani Bingwa on 702.
Asked what the purpose of this attempted engagement might be, Moroe said: “To find a commonality in how cricket is being reported. Their access was revoked because we’ve been trying on numerous occasions to sit with them, so that we can say ‘guys, we are not happy with the way you are representing us in the public’.”
Cricket SA’s head of media and communications, Thamsanqa Mthembu, said attempts had been made to talk to the barred five, of whom I am one. In fact, I have had no contact from anyone from Cricket SA, in any medium. No facts have been questioned in any article I have written in at least a year and I have never been invited to a meeting.
Nobody has even told me they don’t agree with my opinion.
The first I heard that my accreditation had been cancelled was from the gateman at Newlands on Sunday. An emotional employee at the stadium later emerged to tell me: “I’m so sorry, Cricket SA has cancelled it. Didn’t they tell you?”
Cricket SA’s attempts at damage limitation on Monday amounted to pouring petrol on its reputation and lighting a match.
“The executive of Cricket SA fully acknowledges the recent events in the media space and despite months of experiencing unmediated attacks, including of a personal nature, we acknowledge the severity of the current mood towards our brand. We take the opportunity to unreservedly express our intention to fully address the current situation in the media.
“To this end, we commit to meet the editors of the respective newspapers to address the current impasse.”
That they regard themselves as a “brand” explains a lot. “Unreservedly” is usually followed by “apologise”, and attempts to clarify the meaning of “unmediated attacks” went unanswered.
“As the custodians of cricket in SA, we are grateful for the unwavering support of our many stakeholders, and in particular the partners and sponsors and their clientele, who sustain this great sport,” the statement concluded. No mention of supporters. The SA Cricketers Association (Saca) issued its own statement, too: “On behalf of the 310 professional cricketers which we represent we are now left to publicly implore the directors of Cricket SA to exercise their fiduciary duties by acting to ... protect the game from further damage.
“The players not only care deeply about the game but also understand that their careers depend on its health and sustainability. From a players’ point of view we want to see solutions to the problems, and for the game to be returned to a healthy position,” said Saca CEO Tony Irish.
But the most withering news for Cricket SA, and encouraging for those hoping for a change, came with the news that Standard Bank, one of the last remaining major sponsors, asked for an urgent meeting with Cricket SA on Monday afternoon “in the wake of governance and conduct media reports which brought the name of cricket into disrepute”, according to Thulani Sibeko, the bank’s head of marketing and communication.
“Cricket in SA is a national asset and ... we value the right ... of the broader cricket community to know about developments within Cricket SA, especially those that relate to governance and conduct.”
Cricket SA is limping on broken legs, but there are no legs at all in sport without sponsors.