CSA has finally taken a strong step towards finalizing the dates for the domestic T20 tournament which has now been pending for long by mid-September this year. 

The federation released a long-winded statement Friday, in which it outlined its stable financial outlook and said the many challenges it has faced in establishing a T20 competition to match similar events in countries like India, Australia and the Windies. 

With the deadline of this six-team tournament approaching soon, CSA has pushed the case and said that its now time to think about the event seriously. 

“CSA believes that this can become a global sport event on the national calendar,” the organisation said in its statement. “The Board of CSA is very aware of time pressures to ensure a successful hosting and has therefore mandated the executive to pursue opportunities with a definite date by no later than middle of September to present a final outcome. Very strict financial disciplines are in place to ensure that any effort to reach such finality will not cause financial pressure on CSA.”

Cricket SA’s attempts to organise a T20 competition have been beset with problems following the decision to postpone the T20GL last year. Meanwhile premier African sports broadcaster SuperSport has backed out from giving their broadcast rights to the tournament which  CSA described as unfortunate on Friday.

The organisation briefed the government regarding the new league after it had asked parliament to postpone its appearance before the portfolio committee this week until after its Annual General Meeting on September 11, where the federation’s financial statements will be released.

“It is important to highlight that CSA is a profitable sporting federation and that much as we believe in the product, we do not have to host a T20 league to assure financial sustainability,” said CEO Thabang Moroe.