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Pretoria – Don’t expect all the problems in South African athletics to be solved overnight.
That is the warning from James Evans, who has been elected as chairperson of the new Athletics South Africa (ASA) board.
“The challenge is to start at the beginning and identify all the problems one by one and then find solutions,” said Adams.
“One of the issues that requires urgent attention is when the next ASA elections will take place. The current constitution states that it should take place in April 2012. That does not make sense because it’s basically four months before the Olympic Games.
“Consideration should perhaps be given to changing the constitution so that the election takes place every fourth year in November after the Games. That will enable the current board to complete its planning for the Games.”
Evans makes it clear that ASA’s finances are a major source of concern for him and his board.
“It’s important that we gain clarity on this as soon as possible. It’s also important to sit around the table with all the athletics sponsors and plan ahead.”
Evans said they would also have to think about how South African athletics teams are picked in the future.
“I’m fully aware that this year’s elections led to major controversy. I don’t think it’s necessary that athletes who qualified in April for a world meeting should have to qualify again in June,” he said.
“It’s important that the communication between ASA and its top athletes improves. We have to work together for the sake of the future of South African athletics."
Pretoria – Don’t expect all the problems in South African athletics to be solved overnight.
That is the warning from James Evans, who has been elected as chairperson of the new Athletics South Africa (ASA) board.
“The challenge is to start at the beginning and identify all the problems one by one and then find solutions,” said Adams.
“One of the issues that requires urgent attention is when the next ASA elections will take place. The current constitution states that it should take place in April 2012. That does not make sense because it’s basically four months before the Olympic Games.
“Consideration should perhaps be given to changing the constitution so that the election takes place every fourth year in November after the Games. That will enable the current board to complete its planning for the Games.”
Evans makes it clear that ASA’s finances are a major source of concern for him and his board.
“It’s important that we gain clarity on this as soon as possible. It’s also important to sit around the table with all the athletics sponsors and plan ahead.”
Evans said they would also have to think about how South African athletics teams are picked in the future.
“I’m fully aware that this year’s elections led to major controversy. I don’t think it’s necessary that athletes who qualified in April for a world meeting should have to qualify again in June,” he said.
“It’s important that the communication between ASA and its top athletes improves. We have to work together for the sake of the future of South African athletics."
