I have no political affiliations – Lorgat

by Revata S. Silva

In what was termed as a further step towards the development of Sri Lanka cricket, former International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO, Haroon Lorgat yesterday told the media, at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) headquarters in Colombo, that his new job with SLC is to advise local cricket authorities to "do its best for the future."

Addressing the media, along with present SLC chief Upali Dharmadasa and secretary and treasurer, Nishantha Ranatunga and Nuski Mohammad, Lorgat stressed that he didn’t have any political affiliations, adding "it was good to have someone who has not grown up in the system (so as) to get a fresh look."

"Sri Lanka needs to maintain high standards as a cricket playing nation. They organised a successful World Cup tournament. I know it is facing financial and strategic challenges. My job is to give my recommendations, to do their best for the future," said Lorgat.

Dharmadasa said SLC was lucky to have been able to rope in Lorgat and said that he expected his wide array of expertise would help develop Sri Lanka cricket’s future.

Loragt, a 52-year-old, businessman and chartered accountant from South Africa, of Indian origin, succeeded Malcolm Speed as ICC CEO in April 2008, before stepping down last June, leaving the post for another South African, former wicket-keeper bat and lawyer, David Richardson.

Lorgat has excelled in first class cricket in South Africa and it was believed he could not play at the highest level due to the fact that he was considered ‘a black’, during the apartheid period.

Loragt refused to reveal the remuneration he will receive from SLC and said the exact perid of his work with SLC will depend on his future programme.

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