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Johannesburg - Athletics South Africa held a successful Annual General Meeting at the Southern Sun Garden Court Hotel in Isando near Kempton Park on Saturday.
According to the ASA constitution, the AGM must be held six months after the end of the financial year which is December 31, but because of the CAA 20th African Senior Championships in Durban on June 22-26, it was decided to allow work in Durban to finish on June 28 and then have the AGM on July 2.
The AGM received reports on progress made, performance of athletes, financials and the core matters of ASA competitions like the Night Series right up to the CAA Championships, CAA Southern Regional Championships.
This also included the participation and performance of South African athletes including internationally where more are being invited to take part in events like the IAAF Diamond League, IAAF World Challenge, IAAF Grand Prix and others.
At these international events, the AGM observed that the number of SA athletes have tripled compared to other years.
“The performance of our athletes has seen dominance in the likes of Caster Semenya, Wayde van Niekerk, the emergence of Akani Simbine and other younger athletes. There’s the likes of Sunette Viljoen and Henricho Bruintjies to name a few, which says we are on course for the Olympic Games,” said ASA president Aleck Skhosana.
“We tested our state of readiness through the CAA Senior Championships which ended last Sunday in Durban where our athletes got their personal bests, while others reached the finals where some won gold, silver and bronze medals.
“This shows that our coaches and athletes have worked hard over the past season preparing themselves for international competition,” said Skhosana.
During his president’s address to the meeting, Skhosana saluted the City of Durban and KZN Athletics for their contribution to the hosting of a successful Championship.
He noted that 45 days before the first day of competition there had been no track, but through the dedicated work of the construction company that was brought in, all areas of competition were delivered on time.
He noted the support received from the provinces who also contributed with manpower, while others supported with equipment.
“The importance of this Championship and in particular of South Africa as a host was signified by the presence of IAAF President Lord Sebastian Coe and the IAAF Senior Manager of Development and Member Relations Mr Jee Isram.
“It was nice and refreshing to hear from visiting top and experienced athletes that for the first time in the CAA Senior Championships they were given 4 to 5 star accommodation and shuttled in transport that they said in their countries is a reserve for their presidents and cabinet.”
Congratulations were accorded to the Senior National Team for making South Africa the first country to win back-to-back the continental title of the CAA Senior Championships.
Accolades were also accorded the victorious Junior National Team who also dominated the CAA Southern Region Under-20 Championships hosted by Zambia in Lusaka prior to the Championship in Durban.
The AGM was also presented with Strategic Plan which is a three-pronged draft that comprises of (a) Competition Strategy, (b) Athlete Preparation Strategy and (c) Team Preparation Strategy. Members will then make their contributions to it through the office of the acting CEO.
The EPG Transformation Report was discussed and the AGM noted that it was important for ASA and the Department of Sports and Recreation to undertake training of ASA officials in the provinces so that all can understand how the process should be fulfilled in order for ASA to meet its compliance. Training has already been discussed with the Department.
The financial report was adopted as is. It agreed that the election for new office bearers will be on October 22, 2016.
