We want a voice in ASA, say athletes

By Mogomotsi Magome

South African athletes have embarked on a massive campaign to take their proper place in South African athletics following the recent chaos that has characterised Athletics South Africa (ASA).

A collective of former and current South African athletes yesterday declared it wanted at least a 50 percent representation on the ASA board.

According to the athletes, this is the only way the interests of athletes can be addressed by the administration, which they claim has failed to do so over recent years.

Prominent athletes leading the drive include Hezekiel Sepeng, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, Khotso Mokoena, Hendrick Ramaala, Geraldine Pillay, LJ van Zyl and Shadrack Hoff.

The athletes' stance comes shortly after the athletics body was placed under administration following the suspension of its president Leonard Chuene and the entire board over the handling of the Caster Semenya saga.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, former 100m and 200m champion Pillay said they had complained about how the ASA handled their affairs for many years but their complaints had fallen on deaf ears. "This is about protecting the future of South African athletics and has nothing to do with personal agendas. We have a situation where athletics in South Africa has been administered badly and if we do not step up now there will be no changes.

"If things remain like this we have no idea which direction athletics will go in this country," she said.

Some of the complaints by the athletes include the loss of sponsorships for the athletes, with Nedbank's suspension of its sponsorship a notable example of the problems. Said 800m Olympic silver medallist Sepeng: "As athletes we are now finding it hard to get personal sponsorships because many sponsors do not want to be associated with the ASA.

"The Caster Semenya issue did not spur what we are doing now; it only shed light to the entire country about the manner in which athletics was administered in South Africa."

SA steeplechase runner Ruben Ramolefi said more than 150 professional athletes around the country were backing the initiative.

"We have spoken to athletes in all the provinces across the country and they are of the same view that we are presenting here.

"There has also been a petition that has been circulated among the athletes and there has been overwhelming support from them, because this has been happening for a long time. For many years this has been talked about between athletes on tours and competitions," said Ramolefi.

The athletes are expected to meet to discuss, among others, the names of athletes who should be elected to the board of the ASA.

• This article was originally published on page 4 of The Pretoria News on November 21, 2009