Other Sport
ASA meeting ends in chaos
2009-11-21 16:41
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SASCOC board member Ray Mali (File)
Johannesburg - Chaos erupted after the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) named an interim Athletics South Africa (ASA) board on Saturday.
Members of Central Gauteng Athletics who were not allowed in the meeting, said the provincial association had no mandate to nominate James Moloi onto the interim board.
"We will give a vote of no confidence against this board," said Mems Moosa, secretary of CGA's non-established clubs.
"This is an interim measure but democracy will have the last say."
KwaZulu-Natal members also complained the figures representing their province had no mandate, but interim board member and former sprinter Geraldine Pillay said the member associations were welcome to pass votes of no confidence within their provinces, adding that six more board members could be added to the nine elected on Saturday.
Pillay, who managed to settle the chaos caused by provincial representatives outside after the meeting adjourned, said she was not entirely happy with the make-up of the interim board, but hoped the state of the sport would improve following a restructuring of the federation.
Elite South African athletes said on Friday they wanted 50% representation on the board. Four of the nine elected are current or former athletes.
"I would have liked more former athletes on the board, but if this group works hard we can restore the image of athletics in South Africa," she said.
The suspended ASA board will face disciplinary hearings for their handling of the Caster Semenya gender fiasco.
SASCOC board member Ray Mali took over the ASA administration on Monday and will work with the interim board in mending the problems facing the embattled federation which is reportedly in financial crisis.
The interim board consists of Alex Skhosana, James Mokoka, Hendrick Ramaala, James Evans, Daan Louw, James Moloi, Geraldine Pillay, Peter Lourens, Blanche Moila.