World hails Ray Mali's appointment as ICC President

Prominent figures from politics and the game of cricket throughout the world have all hailed the appointment of Ray Mali as Acting President of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

President of the Republic of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, Mr Mali's homeland, said: "I welcome the appointment of Ray Mali to this prestigious position. It is an appointment not just for South Africa but for Africa as a whole and we should all be very proud.

"Ray has been involved in cricket administration with great success over many years and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the international cricket community for the duration of his term.

"We are all inspired by Ray's achievement and I know he will bring his leadership to bear when carrying out the duties of the office of President of the ICC.

"I know that Ray's appointment has come about due to the sad passing of Percy Sonn, who was a wonderful servant to cricket during his life. I feel confident that Ray can carry on the excellent work that Percy started."

Sharad Pawar, the President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said: "Ray Mali is an experienced administrator having (had) the experience of running the board (Cricket South Africa) and organizing events. I am sure the cricket world will benefit from his guidance and leadership.

"We proposed Cricket South Africa to nominate the President because it was their legitimate right. Since CSA (and its representative) couldn't complete the term because of the sad demise of Percy Sonn, we thought CSA must be given the chance to complete their legitimate term.

"I am grateful to New Zealand Cricket and the other ICC Members on the (ICC Executive) Board for supporting and understanding our point of view. We have shown unanimity which shows we are united in resolving issues."

David Morgan, Chairman of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said: "Ray has proved to be an excellent representative of Cricket South Africa at the (ICC) board table.

"I feel sure that he will carry on Percy Sonn's good work in his capacity as Acting President of the ICC.

"Ray has great integrity and doesn't lack in determination and along with my fellow directors at the ICC, I look forward to his leadership."

Dr Naseem Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said: "I am delighted that Ray Mali will be leading the ICC.

"He is the right person not only because of his ability to take the game and the organization forward but also because he has this God-gifted talent to bridge gaps which is so very vital and crucial in running a big organization like the ICC that has 97 members.

"I assure Ray my whole-hearted support and I look forward to work under his dynamic leadership."

Gerald Majola, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket South Africa (CSA), said: "It says much for South African cricket that it has such a fine leader as Ray Mali to step into Percy Sonn's shoes in the highest office in world cricket.

"Mali, like Sonn, has walked the long road that South African cricket took to achieve unity in 1991, and this experience will stand the ICC in good stead in its campaign to promote strength through diversity in world cricket.

"South African cricket is also most fortunate to have Norman Arendse as Acting President. He is an outstanding cricket administrator, who is committed to CSA's vision of making cricket a truly national sport of winners."

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said: "Ray is a solid administrator with a very good cricket background.

"At heart he has the best interests of cricket and that will help the game go a long way.

"I have enjoyed an excellent relationship with him and I have always found him cool and composed while handling issues which, I think, is a highlight of his personality.

"He has been involved in cricket for a long time and there can't be a better honour for him to get than this, the highest appointment possible, in the twilight of his cricket administration career."

Jacques Kallis, who will deputise for Graeme Smith as South Africa's stand-in captain on its upcoming tour of Ireland where it will face the hosts and India, said: "I am happy that another South African is heading the ICC Board, which is a very healthy and good sign for the country.

"I am sure the ICC and its other member countries will benefit from Ray's experience.

"The ICC is growing and so is the sport. Therefore, it will be a big challenge for Ray and from what I have heard about him, he must be looking forward to those new challenges."

Mr Mali was appointed ICC President this week following the death of Percy Sonn in late May.

Mr Mali, who served as President of Cricket South Africa (CSA, formerly the United Cricket Board of South Africa) since 2003, assumed the role of President for approximately 13 months until the ICC's annual conference of 2008.

CSA nominated Mr Mali on Thursday and this received final approval from the ICC Board. The Board had asked CSA to make a nomination in line with a recommendation made by the ICC's Governance Review Committee (GRC) after its meeting in Cape Town on Friday 1 June.

Mr Mali assumed the role of ICC President with immediate effect and in doing so he stepped down as CSA President, also with immediate effect.

Mr Mali will exercise all the powers and duties of the ICC President while in office and his taking the role does not prejudice his chances of being appointed ICC President in the future.

The appointment of the next President of the ICC, who will take office at annual conference in 2008, will be mapped out and then made in due course

Mr Mali will hold his first media conference as ICC President in the Clive Duplex room of the Taj Coromandel Hotel, Chennai, starting at 1230 (local time) on Saturday 9 June. Mr Mali is in India to attend the Afro-Asian Cup series of ODIs and Saturday's conference will be the first media opportunity with him since he assumed his new role.

ICC Communications Officer James Fitzgerald will be present at Saturday's media conference. He arrives in India early on Saturday morning and will be available to field enquiries on the subject.