Photo Credit: Dolphins Cricket
The appointment of Jason Sathiaseelan as Chief Executive Officer is another important step in the process of KZN Inland becoming an independent affiliate of Cricket South Africa following seven years of stewardship under the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union.
The KZNCU governing structures took control over KZNI and worked tirelessly to put the right structures and people in place. About a year ago, KZNCU proudly conveyed to CSA that they felt that KZNI is once again in a position where they can function on their own.
KZNCU under the watchful eye of CSA, then embarked on a formal process to secure CSA affiliate status for Inland, and the formation of independent structures was one of the main requirements.
In February 2022 KZNI hosted their inaugural Annual General Meeting in Pietermaritzburg where a board was elected with Shaun van der Byl as the President. At the meeting it was also agreed that KZNI will operate as an Affiliate of the KZNCU until the CSA Member’s Council approves CSA affiliation status.
Further to their success on the field with the CSA One Day Cup Division Two trophy residing at the Pietermaritzburg Oval, Inland’s biggest improvement came off the field with Inland teaming up successfully under the banner of the KZNCU to improve holistically and move up ten places on the CSA Scorecard to finish in the number one position and gain the title of the best affiliate in South Africa.
These successes meant that many of the preliminary boxes could be ticked, and the focus could shift to the governance and the important matter of finding the right CEO to follow up on the important work done by KZNCU CEO, Heinrich Strydom and his team.
Newly elected KZN Inland President, Shaun van der Byl, believes that through his experience, Sathiaseelan will move KZNI in the right direction.
“Jason is the right person to take KZNI forward as he has been the Cricket Services Manager since 2017 and has been an integral part of Inland Cricket,” Van der Byl said.
Sathiaseelan is excited by what lies ahead as he prepares to move the union forward.
“Even though KZNI will be remain an affiliate to KZNCU, this is a big moment in the history of Inland cricket as we start to operate independently again,” Sathiaseelan said. “I would like to thank Inland President Shaun van der Byl and the Inland board for entrusting me with this important responsibility.”
KZNCU CEO Heinrich Strydom reflects on KZNI’s journey with great pride given his involvement in getting the union back on their feet after his arrival in KwaZulu-Natal in 2017.
“Helping KZNI get back on their feet has been a big focus area for me and with the hard work that the team in Pietermaritzburg has put in it’s great to see the turnaround,” Strydom said.
“With a talented work force and players along with picturesque facilities, brilliant schools, local clubs filled with rich history and a community that is hungry for cricket there is no doubt KZNI will go from strength to strength.
“We are particularly proud of the incredible effort from the KZN Inland staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that cricket prospers in the Inland region.”
KZNCU President, Yunus Bobat, is proud of the role that KZNCU has played in overseeing activities in the Inland region and wished them the very best on this new chapter, as well as the final steps in gaining affiliation from CSA.
“This is an important moment in the history of KZN Inland and KZN Cricket. I commend the way KZNCU CEO Heinrich Strydom lead the process with the Inland team. This is a positive step for cricket in KZN.”
