Latest news with #SASCOC


The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
SASCOC announces SA flag bearers for 2025 World Games
Team SA's participation at the World Games in Chengdu, officially gets under way on Thursday in the south-western Chinese city which is home to 20 million people. South Africa will be one of over a hundred nations parading at the opening ceremony, with archer Hendre Verhoef and orienteering's Sarah Wimberley being given the honour of carrying the country's flag on such a big stage. Verhoef, 17, and Wimberley, 22, are part of Team SA's representation of 20 athletes across eight different sports. These are the 12th The World Games, a multi-code event for several sports and disciplines that are not in the Olympic Games programme, with the event taking place every four years. This is South Africa ninth successive participation at The World Games, having accumulated 20 medals from their previous eight appearances. This year's edition of The World Games is being held from 7 to 17 August. Both Verhoef and Wimberley are ranked No 1 in their disciplines in South Africa and both have represented the country previously on the international stage. Verhoef will be wearing green and gold for the eighth time, while Wimberley has already participated in two Junior World Orienteering Championships and two World Orienteering Championships. In congratulating both Team SA athletes on their appointment as flag bearers at the opening ceremony, the president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC), Barry Hendricks, offered words of encouragement to the pair. 'This will become a life memory for both of you. It is indeed an honour for you to represent your country on the international stage, but carrying the flag adds to the enormity of the achievement. It's important that you soak up the atmosphere and carry the energy of the ceremony into your competition. 'There is a huge audience watching The World Games and you have done all the hard work in earning your Team SA colours. Enjoy the moment and go out there and do your best on this big international stage,' he added. Verhoef and Septimus Cilliers get Team SA's campaign started when they take part in the men's target compound qualification, with the knockout stages beginning on Friday. ARCHERY (3) Men: Hendre Verhoef, Septimus Cilliers Women: Jeanine Van Kradenburg Management: Gerda Roux CANOEING (2) Men: Hamish Lovemore Women: Saskia Hockly Management: Nkosi Mzolo KICKBOXING (5) Men: Ahmad Mahomed, Matthew Gething, Muhammad Mia Women: Leanne Van der Mescht, Saentone Louw Management: Aslam Mahomed, Shabnum Mia MUAYTHAI (1) Men: Damian Collins Managemet: Brett Clarke ORIENTEERING (1) Women: Sarah Wimberley Management: Garry Morrison POWERLIFTING (2) Men: Harold Pietersen Women: Megan Faul Management: Andrew Ludick, Rodney Anthony SPORT CLIMBING (4) Men: Joshua Bruyns, John-David Muller Women: Aniya Holder, Tegwen Oates Management: Dean Bruyns SQUASH (2) Men: Dewald van Niekerk Women: Hayley Ward Management: Jean-Pierre Brits Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


The Citizen
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Athletics South Africa president and board given 7 days to resign: Protest action looms
A storm is brewing in South African athletics as a group calling itself 'concerned athletes and administrators' called for the immediate resignation of the Athletics South Africa (ASA) board during a fiery press conference in Milpark yesterday. Benoni City Times reports that, citing deep-rooted governance failures and alleged misuse of funds, the group, led by ASA board member Dorah Mgwevu, athletics administrator Ernest Moikangoe, and athlete Keneilwe Sesing, issued a bold ultimatum that ASA President James Moloi and his board have seven days to step down or face protest action. 'We, the concerned stakeholders, administrators, civil society organisations and citizens of South Africa, demand the immediate resignation of the ASA leadership, including the CEO and entire board of directors,' said Moikangoe. The veteran official said this follows recent allegations that Moloi had used ASA funds for personal gain. This was revealed last month during an oversight hearing by Parliament's Sports, Arts and Culture portfolio committee. The hearing quizzed Moloi about using the federation's credit card at various taverns and liquor stores. 'The findings presented in parliament are a national embarrassment and betrayal of public trust. They paint a picture of an organisation in complete disarray where corruption, neglect of athletes, and gross abuse of funds have become institutionalised. 'We can no longer tolerate a leadership that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the integrity of sport in South Africa.' The group demands the appointment of an interim committee and the launch of a full forensic investigation by the Special Investigating Unit into ASA financial activities from 2020 to 2025. 'Our sport is not a fiefdom for thieves and opportunists. ASA is meant to serve athletes – not to fund parties, taverns and corrupt deals,' Moikangoe said. Should the ASA board fail to resign within seven days, Moikangoe said the group will stage a protest at ASA headquarters and petition World Athletics to suspend the federation until their demands are met. Mgwevu echoed Moikangoe's sentiments, saying Moloi should step aside to allow SASCOC's investigation into ASA's financial irregularities – including whether funds were misused – to proceed without his interference. 'The president must step aside. We are aware of the ongoing investigation. 'How do we have this investigation when the accused person still has access to information and witnesses? Will this be a fair investigation? 'We appeal for Moloi to step aside and allow this investigation to take place fairly.' In a statement, ASA condemned the press briefing, saying it was reviewing the matters raised in parliament. 'ASA is currently reviewing the recent matters raised in parliament and has pledged to fully cooperate with the SASCOC investigation. 'We are committed to transparency and accountability. We will work closely with SASCOC to address any concerns.'


The Citizen
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
ASA president and board given seven days to resign
ASA president and board given seven days to resign A storm is brewing in South African athletics as a group calling itself 'concerned athletes and administrators' calls for the immediate resignation of the Athletics South Africa (ASA) board during a fiery press conference in Milpark on July 28. Citing deep-rooted governance failures and alleged misuse of funds, the group, led by ASA board member Dorah Mgwevu, athletics administrator Ernest Moikangoe, and athlete Keneilwe Sesing, issued a bold ultimatum that ASA President James Moloi and his board have seven days to step down or face protest action. 'We, the concerned stakeholders, administrators, civil society organisations and citizens of South Africa, demand the immediate resignation of the ASA leadership, including the CEO and entire board of directors,' said Moikangoe. The veteran official said this follows recent allegations that Moloi had used ASA funds for personal gain. This was revealed last month during an oversight hearing by Parliament's Sports, Arts and Culture portfolio committee. The hearing quizzed Moloi about using the federation's credit card at various taverns and liquor stores. 'The findings presented in parliament are a national embarrassment and betrayal of public trust. They paint a picture of an organisation in complete disarray where corruption, neglect of athletes, and gross abuse of funds have become institutionalised. 'We can no longer tolerate a leadership that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the integrity of sport in South Africa.' The group demands the appointment of an interim committee and the launch of a full forensic investigation by the Special Investigating Unit into ASA financial activities from 2020 to 2025. 'Our sport is not a fiefdom for thieves and opportunists. ASA is meant to serve athletes – not to fund parties, taverns and corrupt deals,' Moikangoe said. Should the ASA board fail to resign within seven days, Moikangoe said the group will stage a protest at ASA headquarters and petition World Athletics to suspend the federation until their demands are met. Mgwevu echoed Moikangoe's sentiments, saying Moloi should step aside to allow SASCOC's investigation into ASA's financial irregularities – including whether funds were misused – to proceed without his interference. 'The president must step aside. We are aware of the ongoing investigation. 'How do we have this investigation when the accused person still has access to information and witnesses? Will this be a fair investigation? 'We appeal for Moloi to step aside and allow this investigation to take place fairly.' In a statement, ASA condemned the press briefing, saying it was reviewing the matters raised in parliament. 'ASA is currently reviewing the recent matters raised in parliament and has pledged to fully cooperate with the SASCOC investigation. 'We are committed to transparency and accountability. We will work closely with SASCOC to address any concerns.' Also Read: Bekker bags two medals at Southern African Youth Games Also Read: Young Koekemoer has a bright future ahead after helping South Africa to gold