A DISPUTE has flared between the Border Cricket Board (BCB) and the Buffalo Club (Buffs) over the hosting of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from May 1.
This comes after Buffs had been barred from entering Buffalo Park by Border Cricket until after May 12 when all three IPL games have been played. Both parties are now seeking legal advice.
Buffs, which is the custodian of Buffalo Park, leases the land to the BCB.
The Saturday Dispatch understands that Buffs did not consent to Border Cricket hosting IPL matches as it was not formally informed, as stipulated in their lease agreement.
Buffalo Club chairman Frank Acton said they were not against the IPL matches being played at Buffalo Park, but were unhappy with the lack of communication by Border Cricket.
“It is not the intention of Buffs for the IPL not to take place, but there are some wrongs that need to be made right,” Acton said.
BCB chief executive officer Themba Lupuwana hit back, saying that all Buffs was trying to do was disrupt their IPL preparations.
“They may not come on to the premises now and additional security has been called,” he said.
On Wednesday, a meeting between the two parties was adjourned because they could not agree.
Lupuwana said Buffs declined to attend the second meeting, scheduled for yesterday morning.
In terms of their lease agreement during off-peak cricket season, Buffs has significant rights to the stadium unless matches that met a certain criteria were being played.
The agreement between the two parties states, “from April 1 to September 30, the Buffalo Club shall be entitled to utilise the rugby playing field, floodlights and the change room facilities (as provided) as presently utilised by the Buffalo Club”.
A clause in the lease agreement also states that if, during the months of April to September, international and provincial cricket matches are scheduled, Buffs would not be entitled to use the facilities.
According to a Buffs member, who declined to be named, the IPL is considered a club tournament and is therefore not covered by the clause. Border Cricket contends that the IPL is an international tournament.
The two sides almost clashed on Thursday when police were called to Buffalo Park to stop Buffs members putting up poles for a rugby match.
The Buffs member said they explained to the police officer that they had the right to put up the poles. The officer left, but Border Cricket apparently removed the poles.
Border Cricket’s attorney Wesley Pretorius said they had made arrangements that Buffs’ two fixtures with Cambridge and Swallows be played at Absa Stadium instead.
“All they are doing is agitating and they ... are not welcome as long as they come with the purpose of disrupting,” Lupuwana said. - By ASA SOKOPO
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