Athletics
ASA 'impeding progress'
2010-09-01 13:42
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Johannesburg - A senior official has accused four Athletics South Africa (ASA) provinces of impeding the progress made by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), in control of the federation since November last year.
A proposal to hold elections for seven vacant board posts was rejected by Limpopo, Griqualand West, Transkei and KwaZulu-Natal at a council meeting last weekend, and SASCOC's intentions of stepping back by the end of September have been blocked.
"Some provinces vehemently opposed the proposal," said the official, the head of one of ASA's 17 provincial members.
"Even when it was pointed out ASA could be suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations if there were no elections, and it could be in the breach of the Companies Act, they would not budge."
Three suspended ASA board members and two staffers who have not resigned, will be charged in disciplinary hearings this week, while ASA interim administrator Ray Mali says he will lay charges with the South African Police and further civil action will be considered against anyone who unduly benefitted during the reign of suspended ASA boss Leonard Chuene.
The official, who would not be named because "things are a bit sensitive at this stage", said Mali, a SASCOC board member mandated to form an elected ASA board, wanted a new executive in place by the end of this month.
"Mali made it clear he had other commitments from the end of September, and the IAAF wants an elective board to be in place as soon as reasonably possible" the offical said.
"He also said ASA's financial position was very serious and an elected board would need to make decisions as to its future."
Chuene and his entire executive were suspended by SASCOC 10 months ago, along with three staff members, for alleged financial mismanagement and their handling of world 800m champion Caster Semenya.