By Fakir Hassen, IANS,
Johannesburg : Despite their passion for the game, South African Indians have so far managed to get only one member selected in the national cricket team, Hashim Amla. But there is no shortage of administrators from this group.
This was proved again this week when Mohammed Moosajee was appointed the new manager of the South African squad, the third successive South African Indian to serve in this position.
Moosajee, who has been the team doctor for the past few years, takes over from Logan Naidoo, who handled the task temporarily after Goolam Rajah retired from the position in September after 14 years in the post. Rajah is still with the team as logistics manager.
Moosajee’s first task as team manger will be the England tour next month.
He has also served in administrative positions at provincial level and in the national board, Cricket South Africa (CSA).
“It will definitely be to my advantage that I have worked closely with the team for the past five years,” Moosajee said.
He admitted that although the post of manager differs from that of doctor to the team, he planned to approach it with the same enthusiasm as he has done so far.
CSA chief executive Gerald Majola and Tony Irish, the chief executive of the South African Players’ Association, welcomed Moosajee’s appointment.
Irish said Moosajee commanded a lot of respect among the players and had the qualities necessary to be a successful team manger.
Majola said Moosajee’s passion for sport – he had excelled in football, cricket and volleyball in the 1980s – had given him experience and knowledge that would stand South African cricket in good stead.