CSA

Lawson Naidoo was elected chairperson of the Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa (CSA) when the Board held its first meeting since the Annual General Meeting. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

CSA on 50% stadium capacity increase: ‘This is music to our ears!’

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that outdoor gatherings can take up to 50 percent capacity.

CSA

Lawson Naidoo was elected chairperson of the Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa (CSA) when the Board held its first meeting since the Annual General Meeting. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa‘s announcement that outdoor gatherings can take up to 50 percent capacity.

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The announcement meant the sporting industry can now slowly return to its normality after two years of limited to no fans at the stadiums.

CSA CEO-designate Pholetsi Moseki said the organisation was thrilled with the news that fans can now go back to the stadiums in numbers.

And what excites Moseki is that the domestic cricket is in full swing coupled with the Bangladesh ODI and Test Series Tour that is set to conclude in April.

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Moseki warned that while this is definitely good news for both CSA and the fans, the country should still bear in mind that Covid-19 is still part of our lives.

CSA CEO MOSEKI REACTS TO RETURN OF CRICKET FANS TO STADIUMS

“CSA is thrilled to receive this news, which greets us at the time when our domestic cricket is in full swing and while Bangladesh is currently on an inbound ODI and Test series tour,” said Moseki in a statement.

“Our fans have been awaiting this moment for a long time, so they could attend stadiums and become part of the spectacle that live cricket offers. We also thank our sponsors for their understanding and invite them to attend to our rallying call to Be Part Of It, as we together gear up to bring sports entertainment to our valued fans.

“As we go out to stadiums, let us do so recognising that Covid-19 is still with us. Let us vaccinate and unite in observing Covid-19 protocols,” added Moseki.

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THIS IS MUSIC TO OUR EARS, SAYS CSA

CSA Board Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo said the announcement was ‘music to our ears’, and he thanked Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa for considering their proposal.

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Naidoo said CSA had advanced the proposal for the increased number of fans at the stadiums to Mthethwa on behalf of various stakeholders even before the announcement by Ramaphosa.

“This is music to our ears! We are grateful to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa for taking up our call, which we had advanced on behalf of our varied stakeholders, for the capacity at stadiums to be increased,” said Naidoo.

“The onus is now on all of us to be responsible, so we can achieve a Covid-19-free country and claim the eligibility to 100% spectator attendance at stadiums.”

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