| GEO Sports | | ICC Champions Trophy in SA only if financially viable | Updated at: 1031 PST, Friday, March 13, 2009
JOHANNESBURG: The International Cricket Council (ICC) decision to shift the Champions Trophy series from Pakistan to South Africa because of security concerns will only take place if Cricket South Africa (CSA) is not left with a huge bill, as had been the case in past tournaments, according to CSA chief executive Gerald Majola.
"We don't want to host the tournament and eventually sit with a huge account," Majola told reporters here, even as he confirmed that South Africa had the infrastructure and expertise to play host to the 11 other nations in the Champions Trophy.
"If the ICC can assure us that this will not happen and that we will benefit financially from it, there is no problem with hosting it here," Majola said, adding that he wanted a clause about the host fee going to Pakistan to be amended as well.
The ICC has reportedly decided that Pakistan also needs to benefit financially because the tournament had been taken away from the country.
A final decision is expected Monday and South Africa will be the host if the ICC provides the financial security that has been requested.
The ICC has ruled out Sri Lanka as a new venue because of the heavy rains there at the time the tournament is proposed. The weather pattern in South Africa at that time - September and October - is considered to be ideal for the 12-day tournament. |  |
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