SA not hosting CLT20, just a contender: Modi

Contrary to their claim, South Africa have not been finalised as the venue for this year's Champions League Twenty20, said the event's chairman Lalit Modi insisting that the tournament's governing council is yet to decide on the matter.

Modi said the governing council has so far only asked for "the participating member boards to convey their preparedness and consent to host the league."

"We are delighted with Cricket South Africa (CSA) conveying their immediate consent to host the second edition of the CLT20. Further acceptances are expected from other boards and then the Governing Council will take a final decision on the host country," Modi said in a statement.

"We will have to evaluate venue availability, weather, pitches etc, among other variables prior to finalising a host country for the league of champions. The Governing Council's decision will be conveyed to our fans very soon," he added.

On Friday, Cricket South Africa had claimed that it had bagged the hosting rights of the multi-million-dollar event, featuring 12 teams, including three from this year's Indian Premier League.

"News that South Africa is hosting Champions League is incorrect. They are a hot contender definitely. Also who are invited to play is still to be decided," Modi said on his Twitter feed.

CSA had claimed that the competition will take place across three venues, two of which will be the home grounds of the Standard Bank Pro20 finalists this year.

"This is a prestigious tournament involving seven of the world's top cricket nations. It will be another feather in South Africa's cap as a host of world-class sports events and will not clash in any way with the FIFA World Cup 2010," CSA President Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka had said in a media release.

"It will also be a big boost to the local franchises, their players and supporters which will feature in the tournament."

The Champions League Twenty20 is run by the boards of India, Australia and South Africa and its governing council comprises representatives from each board. Other countries participate in the tournament by invitation.