National tourney ideal for sponsors
T20 Challenge backers prefer competition over Global League
THE T20 Challenge is not nearly as big a deal as the aborted T20 Global League (T20GL) it will replace was promised to be‚ but for the sponsors it is “perfect”.
Ram‚ the courier company that returned as the Challenge’s title backers on Tuesday, having withdrawn their support in September last year‚ focus their business on South Africa.
So their interest in remaining a sponsor waned when they learnt that the T20GL‚ which was to have started on November 3 and would have overshadowed the Challenge‚ would be targeted at a foreign audience.
It would also have been more expensive.
“We were told the new format would be an international event and would warrant more sponsorship and more money, and we couldn’t afford it‚” Ram Hand-to-Hand Couriers’ executive chairman David Lazarus said.
“As a domestic tournament, it’s perfect for us.”
And a domestic tournament is what the Challenge‚ which starts tomorrow, will be in the wake of the T20GL being halted in its tracks.
In fact, Lazarus will get more bang for his buck this time than in the four other seasons his company put their logo on the tournament because‚ unlike in previous editions‚ it will feature a full complement of South Africa’s national players.
When Ram pulled out last year, Lazarus was asked whether the company had done so because its name was being dragged‚ through no fault of its own‚ through the mud that had gathered around the fixing scandal that afflicted the 2015-16 Challenge.
“The costs just did not warrant the investment‚” Lazarus said.
“The issues around the past series were dealt with efficiently by CSA.”
Seven players‚ among them test caps Thami Tsolekile‚ Alviro Petersen and Lonwabo Tsotsobe‚ were banned for between two and 20 years for their involvement – although CSA has said no fixing took place.
A year on‚ Lazarus remains satisfied that the issue was handled properly. “They hired the best legal counsel and sanctions were handed out.
“I do not wish to be part of anything illegal.
“They’ve been transparent and I believe it’s a good opportunity to promote the brand.”
Meanwhile, Proteas limited overs batsman and Cape Cobras captain JP Duminy said the postponement of the T20 Global League was a thing of the past and the Ram Slam Challenge was now the platform for players to express themselves.
The Cape Cobras will be in action on Sunday, when they face the Dolphins in the first match of a double-header at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
“The focus has turned to the Ram Slam tournament now, and every player is excited by the fact that it’s going to be a strong tournament,” Duminy said.