8 August 2024
The 47th AGM of the Gauteng Cricket Board (trading as the Central Gauteng Lions) was a celebration of a successful season, built on a platform of teamwork, passion and pride; led by the Lion at heart.
Hosted at the DP World Wanderers Stadium at an exceptionally well attended AGM, the Members Council voted for re-election and new Board members into the Pride including the exceptionally experienced and well-respected Dr Mohammed Moosajee , Mrs Busi Radebe (Independent Director) and Mr Mashilo Matsetela (Independent Director) having served their initial three year terms. Mr Sean Naidoo was also appointed as a new Non-Independent Board member who will bring his excellent expertise to the Board. After having served as a Vice President, Mr David Selepe stepped down from the Board with everyone from the Union wishing him well and thanking him for his super years of service and commitment.
From a financial standpoint, the Union celebrated its third consecutive year of Net Profit and the largest Net Profit in the past 11 years. The partnership pool expanded, with brands backing the Pride as we head out to hunt down season 2024/25 and beyond. DP World continue their treasured support, elevating the Pride to a whole new level.
Highlights from the 2023/24 season include:
– 2023 Hollard Sports Industry Awards: Sports Organization of the Year;
– DP World Lions Men: Winners – CSA Four-Day Series;
– DP World Lions Men: Winners – CSA T20 Series;
– DP World Lions Women: Runners Up: CSA One-Day Competition;
– DP World Lions Women: Runners Up: CSA T20 competition;
– CSA Awards: approximately 25 nominations
– Significant national team representation on all levels;
– Level 3 B-BBEE contributor status;
– DP World Lions Deaf and Blind Cricket lead the way;
– Telkom Lions Academy remained unbeaten in the season;
– Colts finish first in both the 50-overs and 3-Day cricket of the Northern Section of the tournament;
– Inaugural CSA U19 Boys National Tournament winners, Inaugural CSA U16 Girls National Tournament winners.:
– A successful Jozi Cup Club Cricket winter T20 competition;
– The retention of our wonderful current sponsors and the attraction of new partners
On the coaching side of things, we secured the sublime services of Russell Domingo; Hashim Amla; Allan Donald and Trisha Chetty. Packing a more powerful punch into our Pride, the fantastic four have created as much magic on the field, as off it; and are fully aligned with our vision of making not only good players on the field, but great people off it.
We celebrated the National contracts for a whole host of Lions including Temba Bavuma; Reeza Hendricks; Kagiso Rabada; Rassie van der Dussen; Bjorn Fortuin; Ryan Rickelton; Sisande Magala, Ayabonga Khaka; Tumi Sekhukhune; Chloe Tryon and Sinalo Jafta. Moving into this season we have said goodbye to Sisanda and warmly welcomed the exciting signing of Tazmin Brits who has joined the Pride.
We also celebrated the call up of 16-year-old Karabo Meso to the Protea Women National team and Kwena Maphaka being named ICC U19 Player of the Year at the U19 World Cup.
Our Colts finished top of the log in both the 3-Day and 1-Day cricket formats for the Northern Section of the tournaments. The DP World Lions Blind Cricket and DP World Lions Deaf Cricket performed to perfection throughout the season. We are immensely proud to have had four DP World Lions representing South Africa at the 2024 ICC Deaf Cricket World Cup. The South Africa Blind Cricket Team included five of our players and were led by Captain and DP World Lions Blind Cricket player Buhle Bhidla.
Our club cricket leagues remain of an extremely high quality, with over 300 teams participating in over 25 leagues. Over 2300 matches were played throughout our cricketing eco-system: Evidence as to the strength and well-being of the systems in place and the volunteers and administrators who are the true heroes.
Pride Kingpin Jono Leaf-Wright who was re-appointed as Lions Cricket CEO for a further 5 years, says that the Pride has been relentless in pursuit of perfection;
“We’ve worked busy days and long nights; weekends and holidays – but what a fantastic 2023/24 season we’ve celebrated from clubs; to schools; administrators; umpires; scorers; coaches; officials; the Board; our partners and sponsors; players; friends, media and families.
We set ourselves tough goals, and we achieved them. Our vision of being a successful and sustainable organisation through smart choices, good governance and an unwavering commitment to ensuring our longevity has become something of a mantra at Lions Cricket. It is front and center of what we do and how we do it, whether as a team, an individual or in the business decisions we make. I am honored and proud to call this our Pride; excited for our future as we strive to beat our best; and never forget our famous four words to stand by: Live, Love, Learn and Lead.”
This past season, DP World Wanderers Stadium, warmly welcomed in excess of 240 000 people either to watch cricket or to participate in other events including International Yoga Day (the largest gathering of yoga participants in Africa); the India Carnival; Mandela Day; Afrika Tikkun and more. We thank the 3520 strong employed by the stadium and take great pride in the fact that 98% of the stadium workforce were sourced from the City of Joburg for the 2023/24 cricket season.
The stadium played host to thrilling DP World Lions domestic matches, Protea international matches; the Joburg Super Kings and seven matches of the Betway SA20.
Further to the above at a meeting of the Board post the AGM, Dr Moosajee was re-elected as the President, Mrs Ofentse Lebethe Vice President; Mr Mashilo Matsetela Lead Independent Director and Chair of Finance Mr Nivesh Nagar. The continuity of the leadership team certainly does bode well for future domestic dominance – it is indeed a proud moment announcing the first female Vice President in the history of the union!
Mr Aboo Manack joined a group of other prestigious stalwarts by being appointed as one of the Honoury Life Vice Presidents and was applauded for his calm disposition, a gentle giant of our game, a lovely cricketer, a stylish batsman, an immaculate sportsman and a gentleman of unique qualities, a prince amongst players.
On the brink of yet another new season, Lions Cricket extend their heartfelt thanks to all players, shareholders, sponsors, clubs, schools, universities, officials, Cricket South Africa, families, friends, media and fans. With a solid and aligned Board set to oversee and guide all decisions; the future is bright for #ThePrideOfJozi, and the rested, recharged and hungry Lions Cricket Pride is ready to pounce on the game they love, the people who play it and the communities in which we serve.
The Annual Report can be found on the Lions Cricket website should you wish to know more. To follow the Pride, please visit:
Instagram – @lionscricnews. Facebook – Lions Cricket News. Twitter – @LionsCricNews