February 16, 2008	Saturday	Safar 08, 1429

CENTURION (South Africa), Feb 15: Cricket South Africa (CSA) President Norman Arendse and CEO Gerald Majola have apologised for their roles in the controversy surrounding team selection for the tour of Bangladesh.

The squad was finalised on Monday, two days before they left for Bangladesh, after Arendse initially declined to approve the list which contained only four black players.

“CSA, the custodians of the sport in the country, must take full responsibility for not handling the issue in a manner that preserves the integrity and reputation of the sport,” the pair said in a statement released by the CSA on Friday.

“The president and the CEO of the CSA wish to express their deep and sincere regret at the manner in which the issue leading up to the selection of the team to tour BD, has been handled. “We issue our sincerest apology to the entire nation... for the manner in which the matter had been handled. We accept responsibility for what happened, and wish to commit ourselves to ensuring that it will never happen again.”

CSA policy states that six black players should be included in a 14-man squad. The squad was eventually released without Arendse’s approval.—Reuters