Cricket South Africa (CSA) had to apologise to Momentum yesterday after one of its board members aimed a controversial tweet at the sponsors on Tuesday night.
It all started when Momentum announced it would not be renewing its sponsorship of ODI cricket when the current deal with Cricket SA expires next April.
Their head of sponsorships, Carel Bosman, said of their decision: “Momentum has expressed that they are not satisfied with the current state of affairs at CSA regarding governance and other reputational issues…”
In reply, independent director Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw then tweeted: “Momentum forgets that we invest hundreds millions in Momentum in our SOE investments and pension funds.
“I remember asking for the BBBEE certificate in my other board. Just check before you make any irrational decision.”
The tweet has since been removed.
CSA, though, sent out a statement yesterday saying: “[We] sincerely apologise to Momentum for the unfortunate and unwarranted tweets made by one of our board members, in her personal capacity.
“CSA wishes to reiterate that Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw did not act in her professional position as a non-executive board member of CSA.
“While we respect the personal views of all South Africans, CSA wishes to distance itself from the articulations made by Dr Kula-Ameyaw on Twitter.
“We further wish to reiterate that CSA does not ascribe to the views expressed regarding Momentum and we sincerely value the benefits Momentum and all our sponsors bring in making cricket accessible and inclusive for all South Africans.”
The statement adds: “CSA is taking this matter very seriously and in light of the reputational damage potentially caused, CSA’s Members’ Council has referred the matter to the Social and Ethics Committee and once all internal processes have been completed, the necessary corrective action will be taken.”