'It is a great honour that our province has placed its trust in me' says new AGN Boss Mokganyetsi

Newly elected Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) president Hendrick Mokganyetsi is smiling from ear-to-ear. Mokganyetsi received 62 votes, while Mathane received 58 votes to become the new AGN boss for the next four years. The three-time Olympian defied the odds to defeat the popular Mathane and win the race for the presidency. On paper, Mathane was supposed to win the elections that took place at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday, but Mokganyetsi pulled a rabbit out of the hat. In his victory speech, Mokganyetsi promised to serve saying that it is not about him, but the team that he leads.

“Firstly, athletes and coaches would be looked after. I will not present myself as "I", but as a team member of AGN. I am the AGN president because of the people and I want to serve them wholeheartedly. I promise to take over from where former president Mathane left off. I will take AGN to new heights," said an excited Mokganyetsi whose phone has been inundated with calls from people eager to congratulate him on his massive victory. He was the man of the moment as everyone wanted a piece of him and he could not keep up with the calls, texts, and WhatsApp messages that he received throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile despite losing the presidency, former AGN President John Mathane has no hard feelings. Mathane who had already served two two-year terms as AGN president, was confident in the run-up to the election that he would be chosen to lead the regional athletics federation once again. Although he is still shocked that he lost, he is gracious in defeat. He vowed that he would submit under the leadership of Mokganyetsi in the next four years. “Congratulations to Hendrick Mokganyetsi, he is our new president. I lost the elections honestly. Yes, I am disappointed, but I am a Christian and have to accept this defeat and move on. The people were shocked that I did not win the presidency, but its life," Mathane told #TheTopRunner.

Mokganyetsi received 62 votes, while Mathane received 58 votes. There were six spoiled ballots after Violet Khumalo withdrew her candidacy and Mathane said that could be the only explanation why he lost his position. Mathane is now an ordinary board member and he promised that he would stick around for the next four years and would not hand in his resignation adding that he would do whatever Mokganyetsi asks him to do. “If he gives me tasks to do, I would gladly do them because he is my president. I am here to advise him if he needs my advise. I will not resign and go underground. I am still processing the loss and the new reality, but I would never be lost to the sport. I was the first person to congratulate him and will do a proper handover of documents and other paperwork to him with a happy heart. Let's put faith in the new AGN administration and its leader," added Mathane.

The hard work that Mokganyetsi and his campaign team put in paid off. They released a powerful manifesto that centred on athletics development and talent identification. He also said that he would increase the prize money of the AGN competitions and make the youth fall in love with running again. The campaign team also circulated a video of his manifesto to every voter and that appeared to have won them over.

“It is a great honour that our province has placed its trust in me. It is a big challenge, but a great honour. Being in the AGN hot seat is a big moment for me. The team and I are committed to serving AGN with greater commitment. I want to thank you all for entrusting us. I look forward to the next four years," said Mokganyetsi as he thanked his supporters. Mokganyetsi will settle into his new office and begin his responsibility, but the weekend was all about celebrations for the new AGN boss.

NEW AGN BOARD:

PRESIDENT: Hendrick MOKGANYETSI

VICE-PRESIDENT: James MATSHEKGA

ATHLETES CHAIR : Lukhanyo MABINZA

CROSS COUNTRY CHAIR : Buks MEYER

TRACK&FIELD CHAIR: Sipho SHAWE

ROAD RUNNING CHAIR: Enoch SKOSANA

RACE WALKING CHAIR : Chris BRITS

4 BOARD ADDITIONAL MEMBERS

John MATHANE

Violet KHUMALO

Corrie FOURIE

Shonah MANAMELA