A busy day for ASA as election nominations close
Athletics South Africa (ASA) insiders have raised concern over the slow pace of nominations. Candidates wishing to enter for the ASA elections should know that today is the deadline ahead of the eagerly anticipated elections which are set to take place at the Southern Sun Hotel in Kempton Park on 8 May. It is understood that although things are going slow at the office of the acting CEO Terrence Magogodela where the nominations are being processed, today is expected to be a busy day as last minute entries are submitted.
Magogodela said he would only comment after deadline day. However, a highly placed source inside ASA revealed that while there may not have been many activities at the acting CEO’s office, today will be different as many hand in their applications to win a place on the federation’s new board that will serve for the next four years.
“So far, it's been quiet. However, South Africans love to submit their stuff at the last minute. We expect a busy day on Wednesday," said the source. "Kwa-Zulu Natal Athletics and Athletics Gauteng North have already completed their elections and we expected them to start submitting the names of their preferred candidates. We can promise free and fair elections and we are calling on people to enter the elections before the deadline," the insider told #TheTopRunner.
He said the ASA election committee would send a letter of the nominees to the provinces on 15 April, after the nominations list has been verified by the auditors which on 12 April. “We do not want to be accused of foul play. I will take the election nominations list straight to the auditors on Monday," he said.
April is a busy month for ASA, as they will also host the Twizza SA U18 & U20 Track & Field Championships from 10 - 11 April, as well as the SA Senior Track and Field Championships at the refurbished Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria from 16-18 April. “It’s a busy month. We could see athletes qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in July at the SA champs. We will also know who would contest for the ASA election positions in the same week as the championships," added the senior official.
As things stand, ASA boss Aleck Skhosana is running for the presidency unopposed by virtue of the fact that all sitting board members receive automatic nomination into the elections. However former KZNA president Sello Mokoena, who has indicated his desire to enter the elections, is waiting for the province to endorse his nomination. Mokoena’s hopes rest on KZNA to back his nomination candidature. “None of the people are prepared to talk about their intentions of running for the ASA presidency or earning a place on the board until the list is announced. But I know a couple that have entered but would not say it until next week. I hope the ASA elections will not take the spotlight away from the SA championships," he added.