JOHANNESBURG, Oct 18: Former South African captain Hansie Cronje said Thursday that if he was to contribute to sport locally it would have to be in another code, after a court upheld his life ban from cricket.

“If I would like to put something back into sport in this country, it would have to be in another code of sport,” Cronje said in a prepared statement.

The disgraced 32-year-old former captain was responding to the Pretoria High Court judgment Wednesday that turned down an appeal against his life ban.

“I have read the 52-page ruling of my application against the UCBSA, as drawn by Judge (Frank) Kirk-Cohen,” said Cronje, expressing his deep disappointment at the outcome.

Cronje said: “I have apologised on numerous occasions ... but now will do so again.

“In bringing this application to court, I wanted to be able to put something back into the game that I love, in whatever form possible.”

In rejecting Cronje’s appeal, Kirk-Cohen ruled that the UCBSA was not allowed to prevent Cronje from coaching, sponsoring or promoting cricket at schools not affiliated to it.

But Cronje interpreted the ruling as blocking him off from cricket in South Africa.

“As I see it, I am not allowed to coach, sponsor or otherwise promote the game at schools in this country. The same applies at any level of the game in this country,” he said.

Cronje indicated, however, that he would continue his present involvement with the Carpe Diem Sports Club for the Disabled in the Southern Cape.

“I will continue to associate and assist the club in whatever way I can,” he said.

Cronje went on: “I have not received any definite offers to coach, commentate or to write for any team, newspaper, television network or radio station.

“I can only say that if such an opportunity does arise, I will, in consultation with my wife, consider it.”

He congratulated the national cricket team led by Shaun Pollock on their performance and wished them well against the Australians later this year and in the World Cup in 2003.—AFP