DUBAI – Indian-born media executive Manu Sawhney has taken over as chiefexecutive of the International Cricket Council, the world body said Mondayas it started a new era aiming to boost the sport´s television revenues andprofile.
Sawhney, who has been managing director of broadcaster ESPN Star Sports andis a non-executive director of football giants Manchester United, succeedsformer South African Test wicketkeeper Dave Richardson.
Sawhney has been preparing for the transition alongside Richardson at theICC´s Dubai headquarters for the past six weeks as cricket becomes thelatest in a series of sports to turn to a business executive to lead itsoperations.
Star Sports has in recent years become one of the key international cricketbroadcasters.
Sawhney said in a statement that Richardson, who will remain in charge ofthe organisation of the World Cup in England, which starts May 30, has”steered the sport so capably over the last seven years”.
“I am pleased to say he will continue to lead the delivery of the ICC men´sCricket World Cup 2019 and there is no better person to ensure the event isthe greatest celebration of cricket ever,” added Sawhney, who is also aformer chief executive of the Singapore Sports Hub stadium development.
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Richardson joined the ICC as general manager of cricket operations, and waspromoted to chief executive in 2012 after South African Haroon Lorgat quit.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the ICC and I am pleased with what wehave achieved in recent times particularly in creating greater context forall formats of the game,” said Richardson.
While the ICC does not give figures for television revenues, industrysources say the world body is expecting record revenues for 2019. – APP/AFP
