Latest news with #AthleticsSouthAfrica
eNCA
2 hours ago
- Sport
- eNCA
James Moloi re-elected president of Athletics South Africa
KEMPTON PARK - J ames Moloi was re-elected as president of Athletics South Africa. Moloi's re-election comes with most of the board he's worked with. READ: Team SA wins big at World Relay Championships John Mathane from Gauteng North takes over as vice-president from Shireen Noble and Kesaoleboga Molotsane from Athletics Free State (AFS) replaces Hendrick Mokganyetsi as the athletes' representative. ENCA's sports editor spoke spoke to SASCOC's president, Barry Hendricks.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Aleck Skhosana and James Moloi in two-horse race for Athletics SA president despite poor records
It will be a showdown between the incumbent Athletics SA president James Moloi and the man he defeated four years ago – Aleck Skhosana – during the federation's election on Saturday. The battle for the top seat within Athletics South Africa (ASA) is set to be a two-horse race between current president James Moloi and the man he ousted to gain the seat in 2021 – Aleck Skhosana. These are two men that have less than stellar administration records and have presided over embarrassing messes in athletics in the past. Under Skhosana's presidency, KZN Athletics went bankrupt in 2011. Allegations of fraud, corruption and mismanagement led to the board being removed in 2012, with millions of rands said to have been plundered by the federation's employees before the rot was exposed. Skhosana was later cleared of any direct wrongdoing. However, that aspect of his 12-year spell as KZN Athletics boss continues to follow him – with some remaining suspicious of him. Under Moloi, the ASA was deregistered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). The deregistration in February 2025 was a result of the ASA failing to file its annual returns and pay its company fees, despite numerous reminders from the CIPC to comply. When the CIPC notified the ASA that it had been deregistered, it was because the athletics body had last filed its returns in 2021, when James Moloi became its president. Despite the gravity of the matter and the bad light in which it put the ASA, management sought to downplay the issue, with Moloi calling it a 'minor problem'. Moloi's administration pointed the finger towards Skhosana's leadership for the deregistration blunder. However, Moloi's rival is having none of it. On why he felt the need to return to the ASA, Skhosana said that he wants to replenish the ASA's public image – which has taken a blow in recent months due to some administrative ineptitude under Moloi. '[I want] to restore the image and integrity of Athletics South Africa. You saw in April in Parliament, where the sports portfolio committee declared the ASA as an embarrassment, a disgrace and a mess,' Skhosana said on Newzroom Afrika. 'So, we cannot be able to sit back and watch whilst we are capable of adding value. We once participated and we once resolved these problems in the past. I want to make South African athletics bigger and better. To restore corporate governance,' the presidency hopeful added. For Moloi, the deregistration debacle is a major blemish on his four-year tenure as the ASA boss. However, it has since been resolved. But these blemishes do not inspire any confidence. Others Moloi cut a proud fatherly figure recently as Team SA returned from the World Relays. The South Africans claimed two gold medals and a bronze at the global tournament. Despite the aforementioned administrative struggles, South Africans athletics is clearly in a healthy state currently. Whoever takes over the reins will be expected to further improve on this solid foundation instead of undoing it or stagnating it. Although others, such as Moloi's vice-president Shireen Noble, have raised their hands for the top job as well – when the ASA's quadrennial general meeting takes place on Saturday, 31 May, it is expected to be a tightly-fought contest between Skhosana and Moloi. In addition to the two favourites and Noble, Harold Adams is also in the running. John Mathane was part of the candidates list, but he has since pulled out. Mathane remains in the running for the deputy president position though. He is alongside Noble, Adams, KZN Athletics president Steve Mkasi, as well as Karabo Mabilo and Sticks Stiglingh in the race for the ASA lieutenant. Skhosana's unfinished business Skhosana first became the big boss of South African athletics in 2014. He was installed after the intervention of World Athletics following a protracted internal battle involving the executive of then president James Evans, as well as an interim board led by Sello Mokoena. The interim board had surfaced after the impeachment of Evans for allegedly using the ASA's funds for his own benefit. Evans denied this, but the intervention of World Athletics resulted in the federation convening for a special general meeting. This is when Skhosana and a new board were elected. However, they could only serve for two years since Evans had vacated his role prematurely. When that short term ended, Skhosana was re-elected – this time to serve a full term. Considering some of the cleaning up he did upon replacing Evans, Skhosana knows how to lead. But him throwing his name into the hat for re-election four years after being ousted raises the question of whether there aren't any new faces who harbour ambitions of leading such a federation. Recycled administrators For all its 'against all odds' victories on the global stage – South African sports sometimes find themselves recycling the same old faces when it comes to administrators. However, Skhosana says his desire to become the ASA president for the third time is within the constitutional parameters of the national athletics body. He also highlights some of his accomplishments during his six-year tenure. This includes being deliberate about sending South African athletes to international competitions between Olympic Games, something which did not happen as often prior to Skhosana's ascension to power. Under the KZN-born administrator talents such as Caster Semenya and Wayde van Niekerk thrived. How much they thrived because of the ASA's leadership, or in spite of it, is debatable. Moloi, who established training camps for the athletes during his term, has promised to continue implementing similar strategic projects should he be reinstated. 'I want to go for the second term because I didn't finish my plans. So, the second term is for the implementation of whatever plans I've got and to bring in [sponsors],' Moloi told SABC Sport. 'I've been negotiating with different companies to sponsor Athletics South Africa. But if you leave or you are not there, they are not going to come because now, they are relying on you. 'So, it will be an advantage for Athletics South Africa if I can go back for the second time and implement whatever plans that I've got,' the former Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) president added. Ahead of the elections, there has been some controversy. The CGA and Athletics Free State have both pulled their nomination lists for the various positions set to be contested on Saturday. The councils of the federations say the lists were not properly vetted prior to submission. In anticipation of possible skirmishes between the various camps, Moloi wrote to the South African Police Service on 23 May, asking for 'increased police visibility' and hoping this will 'help maintain order and promote a sense of safety throughout the duration of the event'. DM
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sello Mokoena aims for a comeback in KZN Athletics presidential race
Former KZNA president Sello Mokoena (second right) has announced his bid to return to the hot seat at the regional sports body. Image: Matthew Middleton Former KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) president Sello Mokoena is preparing for another bid for the top position at the athletics body, just as he did for countless races during his running career. 'I've been a runner all my life, for 40 years at least, and I always started a race confident that I'd win — and in most cases, I did,' he said. There are cases where I didn't win, and those are very rare. If I didn't win, I went back, I prepared, and I came back again. Elections are exactly the same. 'In terms of our campaigning in the districts, we don't expect much competition. We think we're likely to win.' Mokoena was elected KZNA president in 2012 and served for seven years before stepping down in 2019. The regional athletics federation was without a leader for two years, having been placed under Athletics South Africa (ASA) administration during a tumultuous period. Steve Mkasi succeeded Mokoena after winning the elections in 2021 and is now bidding for a second term. The fact that Mokoena did not serve two full consecutive four-year terms leaves the door open for a return to the presidency. The veteran administrator and former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal said he had been approached by clubs urging him to consider returning. 'The clubs have been coming to me for two years now, saying things are not going the right way and that KZNA needs people who are experienced and have a track record. They asked me to consider standing for elections in 2025,' said Mokoena. 'It took me a while to agree to that. But at the beginning of the year, around February, I made up my mind that I would do so and made that public.' The current vice-chairperson of the South African Sports Coaching Association, Mokoena is one of five nominees for the presidency, alongside Chris White, Mkasi, Romeo Hulane and Mandla Mngomezulu. White, an athletics coach, is also challenging for the vice-president role, along with Mngomezulu, Khura Buthelezi and Madoda Nsele. Mokoena, who also chairs the youth development agency Wildness, was asked what the athletics community in the province can expect should he be successful in the upcoming elections, scheduled for the week after the Comrades Marathon on 8 June. 'The most important thing in that position is the ability to communicate and bring parties together. In any organisation, you get different opinions and views, so the ability to bring people together to pull in one direction is your first priority,' he said. 'The second priority is to be able to plan in terms of developing the future of the sport. And then thirdly, without a budget, you can't do anything — so you've got to look at how you draw in resources from different stakeholders.' He added that court conflicts — such as the ongoing legal battle with the Comrades Marathon Association over ownership of the race — only serve to divide the federation. 'You want to ensure that your operations are smooth: your track and field, your cross-country, your road running — every member of the family should feel happy within that. That determines your success as well.' Steve Mkasi, left, is running for re-election as president of KZN Athletics. Image: Supplied Mkasi, meanwhile, has said he is 'ready to propel KZNA forward from the foundation we have laid,' highlighting the financial stability achieved under the current board. He also cited increased athlete participation at national and international levels, and a rise in competitions hosted across various disciplines. Michael Morton, one of the founder members of KZNA, believes the federation needs fresh leadership. He is backing White's bid for the presidency, citing the coach's educational background, proven development record, and experience in running a coaching facility in Pietermaritzburg and working within high-performance sport. As the contenders increasingly jockey for position, the KZNA presidential race is shaping up to be a tightly contested affair. It's just a matter of who will have the extra kick to see off their rivals on the home straight.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Brakpan runner strives for nationals qualification to honour father
Brakpan resident, Donovan van Zyl started the provincial cross-country season with a blistering run at the Kwa-Thema Stadium earlier this month in his bid to qualify for the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Championships in Middleburg in September. Van Zyl began the year on the front foot with a victory in the 5km races at the Benoni Northerns Marathon on April 13, followed by an exceptional performance at the MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon on May 1. Though the teenager's form, hard work and drive will likely earn him a spot in the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) team for the nationals, he's inspired to do it for his wheelchair-bound father. 'It's a big dream to go to the nationals. My dad inspired me to do this. My coach, Jared de Waal, also helps me a lot,' he said. The Irun Athletics Club athlete's father, Andrè Swart, is a former rugby player who also excelled in athletics. Swart was involved in a car accident that landed him in a wheelchair. 'He was an SA athlete. He was one of the best. He did all athletics except for the long distances. I'm doing this for him.' Asked about his performance in the first CGA Cross Country League meeting on May 3, where he clocked 22:20 in the U17 boys' 6km race, Van Zyl said he was headed in the right direction. While the race gave him a sense of what to expect as the season progressed, he was disappointed with its aftermath. He started at a blistering pace, which affected him at the end because he finished seventh. In the remaining leagues, however, the middle-distance runner will adopt a conservative approach, allowing him to hit his strides in the second half. ALSO READ: Medals and memories shine at SAAFA's 80th anniversary banquet 'The biggest lesson was starting to avoid starting fast. I must ease into the race and go for it once I've assessed my competition and my body is warm. Cross-country is tough. It needs you to strategise,' Van Zyl said. He started running because it 'clears my mind on tough days and puts my head into a good space'. Reflecting on his journey in the sport, he said, 'It's been hard, but I work hard. Coach Jared motivates us to chase our dreams.' Van Zyl's biggest goal is to go to the Olympic Games, but first, he must tackle the easy task of qualifying for his first cross-country nationals. 'I will give it my all in the remaining league.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Athletes return to OR Tambo after medal wins in China
Athletes return to OR Tambo after medal wins in China OR Tambo International Airport was filled with joy and celebration on May 14 as proud supporters, family, friends, and classmates welcomed home South Africa's medal-winning relay athletes. The team returned from the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. The national team earned three medals, including gold in the men's 4x100m and 4x400m relays and bronze in the women's 4x400m final. In addition to the podium finishes, all three squads secured automatic qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. ALSO READ: Cyclists get huge welcome at OR Tambo for Cape Town feat The mixed 4x400m team, which finished fifth in their event, also qualified. Athletics South Africa (ASA) president James Moloi praised the team's success, describing it as the result of a broader developmental plan. 'We are very excited because this is a long-term project, especially aimed at building up these young athletes. While Tokyo is our next target, we are building for Los Angeles,' he said. Moloi explained that ASA has a four-year development programme that includes rural and urban school competitions. 'We want to build a strong pipeline across all disciplines, especially the women's teams. We've also launched a broadcasting initiative and secured sponsorship for the full four-year cycle,' he added. He stressed the importance of continued investment in development. 'It's difficult to beat countries like the USA, Britain, and Jamaica. People assumed the SA team wouldn't win because of those strong competitors, but we proved them wrong.' ALSO READ: Paralympic medalists receive heroes' welcome at OR Tambo In the men's 4x100m relay, 19-year-old Bayanda Walaza teamed up with Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and Akani Simbine to record a blistering time of 37.61 seconds, the fastest of the year, beating the United States by just 0.05 seconds. Bayanda's mother, Tholiwe Walaza, was overwhelmed with pride. 'I'm very happy. They've done so well. Since primary school, Bayanda has been passionate about athletics. This is a dream come true,' she said. Bradley Nkoana's grandmother, Anna Nkoana, travelled from Mabopane to give her grandson a hero's welcome. 'I couldn't wait for this day. I called him every day while he was away. His passion started in primary school, and he's still going strong in university,' she said. In the men's 4x400m, the team of Gaerdeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer, and Zakithi Nene claimed gold with a time of 2 minutes and 57 seconds. Leendert Koekemoer's father, Lourens, proudly reflected on his son's journey. 'My son ran the third leg. It's amazing. Athletics in South Africa is in a healthy place right now. 'From junior to senior levels, there's great momentum. Leendert started with short-distance races, but everything changed when he switched to the 400m in Grade Eight. He's since won national titles and even broke a South African record this year.' ALSO READ: Meet the executive housekeeper of City Lodge at OR Tambo The women's 4x400m team, Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Precious Melepo, and Zeney van der Walt, set a new national record on their way to securing the bronze medal. SASCOC president Barry Hendricks congratulated the team, saying: 'We're proud of you. You made us stand and scream at our TVs. 'The passion you showed has planted a seed of hope for many aspiring athletes. Our investment through the Operation Excellence programme has paid off.' Former South African sprinter Geraldine Pillay also praised the athletes. 'I'm incredibly proud of our athletes. They performed brilliantly and qualified for the World Championships, topping the medal rankings at the World Relays. This is a phenomenal moment for both the young stars and seasoned athletes like Akani Simbine. 'We wish the team all the best for the rest of the season, especially as they prepare for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
