SA Parliament praises World Cup officials

Cape Town, Oct 23 - The parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation today praised the organizing committee of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) for "accommodating all sectors" of society in its plans for the 54-match tournament to be staged in South Africa in 15 months' time.

Ms. Ruth Bhengu, MP, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, said she and her colleagues were impressed with a special presentation delivered today by Dr Ali Bacher (CWC executive director), Prof Jakes Gerwel (CWC policy committee chairman), Adv. Percy Sonn (United Cricket Board president), Mr Gerald Majola (United Cricket Board chief executive officer), Ms Bangu Masisi (CWC public relations director) and Mr Rodney Hartman (CWC communications director).

The cricket delegation also included Prof Andre Odendaal of the United Cricket Board's Transformation Monitoring Committee and, Mr Arnold Bloch, the president of the Western Province Cricket Association.

In thanking the CWC committee for a thorough overview of the tournament planning, including its policies for black empowerment, the appointment process for official suppliers, and the envisaged legacy of the tournament for the previously disadvantaged, Ms Bhengu said: "You have tried your level best and went out of your way to accommodate all sectors. We are also impressed that you were able to spell out what the benefits will be that will be left behind (after the tournament in March 2003) ... and we are committing ourselves to give you all the support that you need."

Ms. Bhengu said a parliamentary sub-committee dealing with broadcasting would seek clarification from the SABC on the number of games that the public broadcaster would televise after Patrick Chauke, MP, had raised concerns that people without decoders might be able to watch all the games.

The Portfolio Committee representatives at today's meeting were Ms N R Bhengu (chair), Mr H P Chauke, Mr J T Louw, Mr R D Pieterse, Dr E A Schoeman, Ms N E Lamani (all ANC), Adv P S Swart and Mr T D Lee (both DP), Mr E T Ferreira (IFP) and Mr C T Frolick (UDM).