Haroon Lorgat looks forward to improving his relationship with BCCI

Lorgat says he will apologise if he is needed to

Despite BCCI’s opposition against the appointment of Haroon Lorgat as Cricket South Africa’s new chief executive officer, CSA has gone ahead with the move insisting that its own issues took priority.

The former head of the International cricket council said: “I didn’t expect such a poor relationship to have emanated after I left the ICC.”

“I will do my level best to understand what the issues are with those who are not happy with whatever it is with myself. If I need to sit across the table, go to India, whatever it takes, I have to say that Cricket South Africa comes first.

“If it means that I have wronged somebody and I need to apologize … I will do so. I will have no hesitation to do so.”

India’s concerns over Lorgat were expressed in a meeting between BCCI and CSA officials in February, when he became the leading candidate for the job after the sacking of the last CEO in an unauthorized bonus scandal.

CSA President Chris Nenzani, at a news conference on Monday to officially welcome Lorgat to the role, said: “We will take decisions guided by what the interests of CSA are.”

He added: “We had an opportunity to talk to the Indian president, the president of the BCCI. They raised certain concerns about the possible appointment of Mr. Lorgat as our CEO.

We made it clear to them, we said we would not undermine your concerns, we would not ignore your concerns, but we will be in a position to look into this matter and see how best the interests of CSA are addressed.”

Lorgat concluded by saying: “You cannot argue the fact that India is an important player in world cricket. I knew that before I got to the ICC, I know that better after I come from the ICC. And we must respect India and its issues.”

Source: NDTV