Majola looks for more intl cricket matches at Mabhida stadium

Johannesburg, Jan 12 (PTI) Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEOGerald Majola has welcomed President Jacob Zuma''s suggestionthat the historic international match held at the MosesMabhida stadium in Durban on January 9 should be turned intoan annual event.

South Africa hosted India in the only Twenty20 match ofthe tour last Sunday at the Moses Mabhida stadium, which thevisitors won by 21 runs.

The venue is one of the stadiums that had hosted 2010FIFA World Cup, staging five group games, one second roundmatch and a semi-final tie.

"First up, CSA would like to thank both President Zumaand the public for making Sunday''s match at Moses MabhidaStadium such a spectacular success, heralding a new era forSouth African cricket and adding much value to the nation''stourism profile," Majola said.

"President Zuma''s suggestion for an annual event of thiskind at this great stadium is an excellent one. CSA''s homeinternational tours are governed by the International CricketCouncil''s future tours programme and so we would have to havea close look at how we can repeat Sunday''s experience as anextra tour match in the future.

"We would also need the ICC''s permission to hold an extramatch with international status, as happened for Sunday''scontest between South Africa and India," the Proteasadministrator was quoted as saying by ''Sport24''.

Majola said the CSA would need the co-operation of theDepartment of Arts and Culture, the Department of Sport andRecreation and the National Lottery Distribution Trust FundAgency to make the event an annual one.

"The event was such a resounding success that CSA isconfident that it can persuade all stakeholders to considerPresident Zuma''s suggestion most favourably. Once again, wethank him for his patronage and look forward to working withthe Presidency in the future again on similar projects," headded.