Proteas join World Cup sponsors' uproar

Sydney, Aug 14 (UNI) South Africa has joined Australia to protest against a controversial decision of next year's World Cup organisers that demands that both sides dump their sponsors for the showpiece event.

Representatives from Standard Bank expressed their dismay at having to put their long-time deal with the South African team on hold for the tournament to be held in the West Indies next March and April.

Australia had earlier protested at being told by the tournament organisers that it had to axe Travelex as its tour backer for a five-month period next year including the World Cup because its core business of currency exchange infringed on the interests of recently-signed tournament sponsor Scotiabank from Canada.

''We are shocked and extremely disappointed by the news,'' Standard Bank's PR manager Kate Johns was quoted saying by The Advertiser.

''All international team sponsors will invest heavily in marketing campaigns around the cricket World Cup so the news that we, the South African team sponsor, can't be involved with the event in any way comes as a real blow.'' Meanwhile, Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said CA would vigorously oppose the decision and hoped that its link with Travelex, its sponsor for all overseas tours, would continue after the Cup even if their protest is unsuccessful.

UNI XC PDS PM DS1245