SAHARA PARK NEWLANDS DISAPPOINTMENT The Western Province Cricket Association has reacted with disappointment to the news that there will be no matches against India at Sahara Park Newlands this summer. “From being scheduled to host Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th test to nothing, this is a big shock to us and it will impact seriously on our business”, said WPCA President Beresford Williams. The WPCA stands to lose several million rand in income from the changed tour plans, with advertising income, beverage sales, hospitality and vending all affected. ‘Worse still, the most loyal cricket spectators in South Africa are going to be losing out’, said CEO Andre Odendaal. He added, ‘Newlands is the premier test ground in South Africa, traditionally bringing in the most spectators and the highest income for tests for Cricket South Africa. So we are mystified by the decision. There has been no explanation given to us so far, but we are encouraged by the President’s statement that CSA is “working on plans to fill the gaps in our international itinerary for this season”’. Odendaal said, ‘CSA is working hard to provide alternative product for local fans and one prospect that we relish is a well marketed Ram Slam T20 tournament with all the Proteas stars available in January/February’. The prospect of our eight national players and world stars like Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander, Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith and JP Duminy being eligible for the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras is a mouth-watering one. ‘That should fill Newlands’, Odendaal said. Another light point is the test match versus Australia which will take place at Newlands from 1 to 5 March. Williams said South Africans now had to stand together to protect the future of the game in the country, and he called on the City of Cape Town and all our local stakeholders to turn out in numbers at Newlands to show their support this season, starting with Friday night’s Momentum Cup One Day game between the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras and the Chevrolet Knights starting at 15h00. Issued by WPCA Marketing Department
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:07:27 +0000
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