BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (Reuters)
Former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje is to turn his attentions to other sports after accepting that he will never be allowed to work in cricket again.

Cronje was banned for life by South Africa's United Cricket Board (UCB) after admitting to taking $130,000 from bookmakers to influence the course of matches. Cronje's legal challenge to his punishment failed in the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday when Mr Justice Frank Kirk-Cohen upheld all provisions of the ban.

In a statement released through his lawyers on Thursday, Cronje seemed finally to accept his fate, saying he would continue his involvement in sport through other codes.

"I take notice of the strong view that the judge took on me as having sold my responsibilities to captain my country at cricket," the statement said. "I have apologised on numerous occasions to the UCB, the cricketing public and most important to my former team mates, but now will do so again. I deeply regret my actions and wish to apologise to those I caused harm.

"In bringing this application to court, I wanted to be able to put something back into the game that I love, in whatever form possible. Judge Kirk-Cohen makes it clear that I am no longer allowed to associate with the UCB or it's affiliates. Cricket at school level falls under the auspices of the affiliates of the UCB and as I see it, I am not allowed to coach, sponsor or otherwise promote the game at schools in this country. The same applies at any level of the game in this country.

"If I would like to put something back into sport in this country, it would have to be in another code of sport. At present, I am involved at the Carpe Diem Sports Club for the Disabled in the Southern Cape, and will continue to associate and assist the club in whatever way I can."

Cronje said he had not had any offers of jobs in cricket. "I have not received any definite offers to coach, commentate or write for any team, newspaper, television network or radio station. I can only say that if such an opportunity does arise, I will, in consultation with my wife, consider it.

"Although I am deeply disappointed by the result, I am grateful to the game of cricket for the pleasures and opportunities it afforded me over 31 years of my life."

The UCB declined to comment. "We have taken note of Mr Cronje's statement, but there is no need for us to respond to it," UCB vice president Robbie Kurz told Reuters.

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