Athletics South Africa (ASA) is under fresh pressure after Parliament backed a recommendation to dissolve its board and acting president John Mathane promised to restore the federation’s credibility, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to the Sowetan the portfolio committee heard that ASA is under monitoring by World Athletics and faced questions over a suspended president, a delayed CEO appointment, absent board members and unpaid prize money for marathon athletes.
Mathane told Sowetan: ‘Going forward, we will engage with our internal council members to give them proper feedback on what is unfolding.’
MPs said the non-payment of winners in the Mpumalanga and Soweto marathons has damaged trust, with committee member Tebogo Letsie asking ‘Why have they not been paid?’.
Parliament also raised concerns about a Mpumalanga marathon being promoted at a time when earlier winners were still waiting for payments.
The Witness reported that the race was advertised with R1 million in prize money, even though the organiser already owed runners and suppliers more than R5 million and ASA confirmed the event was not authorised.
Committee chair Joe McGluwa said the time for talk had passed, adding: ‘We must intervene; this is not about punishing anyone but rescuing this entity.’
Mathane added that ASA would work with the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee on ethical programmes to rebuild confidence.
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Picture: Cecilia Van Bers / Gallo Images
