UCBSA takes care of its players: Bacher

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, FEB. 28. There is a healthy relationship between the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) and the South African players, according to the Managing Director of the UCBSA, Dr. Ali Bacher.

``The Board officials and the senior players have an open dialogue once a year and thrash out all the issues. There has never been a problem. They are all professional cricketers. They are very committed and work very hard. They are paid a monthly salary on which they live. We pay them a good salary. Apart from the monthly salary there are contributions from the UCBSA to their provident fund and medical aid. We don't hide it. It's all open,'' he said.

South Africa's fast bowler Allan Donald is a category `A' player who receives a salary of 24,000 rands every month. ``It's a good amount. It's equivalent to the salary of the Chief Executive Officer of the 50th company listed in the stock exchange. In addition there are bonuses for winning a Test, one- day International and a series. The team will get half a million rands should they win the Test series in India and 2,00,000 rands if they win the one-day series here. We also pay for their wives' air travel. This year the players' wives will be in Sharjah, Singapore and Australia. Donald always does well when his wife is travelling with him. All of them lead a clean life. They are all role models for South African kids,'' said Dr. Bacher.

``Donald, however, will not be available for the six- match series against Australia. He has spent so many years with Warwickshire. They have assured him some position with the county once he retires. He may be appointed their bowling coach. He is a great bowler. If he doesn't take 300 wickets at Bangalore, then I will schedule the first Test against New Zealand at Bloemfontein (Donald's home ground).''

Tremendous growth

Dr. Bacher, who will soon be relinquishing his position as Managing Director of the UCBSA to take full charge of the preparation for the 2003 World Cup said it would take another three years for the development process to be completed. ``Cricket is a growing sport and is in a very healthy state now. According to a market research done by a private agency, cricket has 6.5 million adult customers as against nine million for soccer and seven million for boxing.''

According to the agency's findings 52 per cent of the 6.5 millions are blacks. Among the youth (13-19 age group) cricket is second only to boxing. And among the whites cricket is second to rugby. ``All these figures point to a bright future for cricket. The growth has been tremendous in the last five years. Forty five per cent of women also follow cricket. The UCBSA did not commission the survey, it was done by the breweries and cell phone companies. We have been told by the convenor of selectors, Mr. Rushdie Magiet, that there would be at least six black cricketers in the South African `A' team that will be playing against India and West Indies next year. It is up to them to grab the opportunities.''

``We have also appointed Corrie van Zyl as a bowling coach for two years. Zyl was a very disciplined and committed cricketer like Hansie (Cronje) and (Allan) Donald. His job is to train eight or nine young fast bowlers. He has to work on a strategy and facilitate their entry into the South African team. There are four blacks who will get the benefit. They are very talented. But they have to make the most of the opportunities.''

Regarding the preparation for the 2003 World Cup, Dr. Bacher said, a 10-member committee had been formed to frame the policy and work as a steering committee. ``Half the committee members are Board members. The others are from the field of business, law and government. The chairman is Mr. Jakes Gerwell, who was the Cabinet Secretary to President Nelson Mandela. Now he is the Chancellor of Rhodes University. Then we have Mr. Michael Katz, who is from the legal world. They have a tremendous passion for the game.''

The UCBSA is trying to identify and upgrade facilities in two `disadvantaged areas' near Durban and in the rural areas of Eastern Cape. ``We have asked the local government agencies to fund the development of the facilities. If Chatsworth (near Durban) fulfills the requirements for an international match then India will play a World Cup match there,'' he concluded.

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