Johannesburg - South African Athletes, a body representing elite athletes, has defended renowned jumper Khotso Mokoena, saying it will be suicidal for him to go to compete in the Commonwealth Games in India, according to a report in the Sowetan.
The Olympic silver medallist reportedly refused to board a plane in Johannesburg on Thursday with the rest of the athletics team.
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Chief executive Tubby Reddy said in a statement on Friday that SASCOC "finds Mokoena's attitude defiant and it's seen in a serious light" and "we find the behaviour unacceptable."
"We all know that Crocodile (Mokoena) had been injured for some time now," said the body's spokesperson Sam Mlangeni on Sunday.
Mokoena made it clear to Sowetan on Friday that he was not going to India because he has not been training since August because of an Achilles tendon injury.
This was despite the fact that South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), booked him a ticket to India at the weekend.
"I find it strange that SASCOC are now trying to force Crocodile to go to India despite knowing very well that he is not in great shape," Mlangeni said.
The Olympic silver medallist reportedly refused to board a plane in Johannesburg on Thursday with the rest of the athletics team.
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Chief executive Tubby Reddy said in a statement on Friday that SASCOC "finds Mokoena's attitude defiant and it's seen in a serious light" and "we find the behaviour unacceptable."
"We all know that Crocodile (Mokoena) had been injured for some time now," said the body's spokesperson Sam Mlangeni on Sunday.
Mokoena made it clear to Sowetan on Friday that he was not going to India because he has not been training since August because of an Achilles tendon injury.
This was despite the fact that South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), booked him a ticket to India at the weekend.
"I find it strange that SASCOC are now trying to force Crocodile to go to India despite knowing very well that he is not in great shape," Mlangeni said.