Durban - President Jacob Zuma's suggestion that an international cricket fixture become an annual event at the Moses Mabhida Stadium has been received with open arms.
On Wednesday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO, Gerald Majola, said Zuma's call for an annual event at the stadium was an excellent one.
Around 50 000 people converged at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday for the Twenty20 International between India and South Africa, which was also Proteas star Makhaya Ntini's send-off.
"First up, CSA would like to thank both President Zuma and the public for making Sunday's match at Moses Mabhida Stadium such a spectacular success, heralding a new era for South African cricket and adding much value to the nation's tourism profile," said Majola.
He added that CSA's home international tours were governed by the International Cricket Council's future tours programme.
"Therefore, we [CSA] would have to have a close look at how we can repeat Sunday's experience as an extra tour match in the future. We would also need the ICC's permission to hold an extra match with international status, as happened for Sunday's contest between South Africa and India," said Majola.
The Department of Sport and Recreation, Arts and Culture and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund Agency would also have to join forces with CSA to make the event an annual one.
"The event was such a resounding success that CSA is confident it can persuade all stakeholders to consider President Zuma's suggestion most favourably," added Majola.
