ASA presidential race gets murky
11/07/2011 | Ramatsiyi Moholoa
IN a dramatic turn of event, the medical doctor at the Caster Semenya gender controversy could bounce back at Athletics South Africa - this time as its president.
Harold Adams, who is the president of Boland Athletics and a former ASA board member, is one of nine administrators nominated for the position.
The position of ASA president became vacant after Leonard Chuene was banned along with his deputy Kakata Maponyane and board member Simon Dlamini for their handling of Semenya debacle.
Adams was ASA chief medical officer when Semenya won the gold medal at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
Soon after the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee suspended the ASA board, Adams was appointed to the Lotto board.
“We have been informed ASA won’t get Lotto monies until we get rid of certain officials,” South African Athletics media officer Sam Mlangeni said yesterday.
“The sooner Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula intervenes, the better for the growth of athletics in the country.”
Sowetan can reveal that an influential administrator has threatened to spill the beans on some presidential nominees.
“There is one or two people who must not be allowed to run for the two positions of ASA president and deputy president, their names will be divulged at a later stage,” said the source who is privy to developments at ASA.
“We are aware Sascoc and Lotto are pushing those people. We have a damning report that we will release in a few days’ time,” added the source who asked not to be identified.
Nominee and former New York Marathon champion Hendrick Ramaala said: “We need a leadership that will look after the athletes financially.”
Other nominees are James Mokoka, Motlatsi Keikabile, Aleck Skhosana, William Mokatsanyane, Tshifhiwa Makhosi and James Moloi.
Ramaala, Moloi, Keikabile, Skhosana, Godfrey Goliath, Mokatsanyane, Mike Mbabane, Adams and Glen Bentley are nominated for the deputy presidency.
Sascoc chief executive Tubby Reddy has dismissed allegations that they were supporting certain individuals to take over ASA, saying athletics people must decide who to lead them.
Keikabile is also serving on the Lotto board where Sascoc president Gideon Sam is convenor of the national Lottery Distribution Fund.