Athletics Free State withdraws all nominations for Athletics SA elections

A letter from AFS athletes commission chairperson Teddy Semela addressed to ASA’s acting CEO Terence Magogodela, and seen by the national broadcaster, formally requested this withdrawal.

A similar move was made by Central Gauteng Athletics – the biggest province in the country – on Monday, with the Quadrennial General Meeting scheduled for Saturday in Johannesburg.

The letter has alleged that since being elected in November 2023, the AFS board had not held any counsel meetings, and thereby the nominations list was not made in accordance with regulations.

It reads in part: "As the representative of the Athletes in the Athletics Free State having been elected on 16 March 2024, it is my duty to ensure that Athletes’ interests are well represented in all the spheres.

"Clubs affiliated under Athletics Free State as mentioned on the attached signed Motion of No Confidence Section 1.2, confirms that the board was elected and took office in November 2023 and want to put it on record that since the election of the AFS Board, there has never been any Council meeting held to date."

With two provinces now having pulled out at the 11th hour, tensions are rising and leaving several endorsed candidates unexpectedly sidelined, while ASA president James Moloi and CGA deputy president Karabo Mabilo lose more crucial votes.

Kesa Molotsane, AFS candidate for the Athletes' Commission Chairperson role, also suffers a setback as a result of her own province's withdrawal.

But arguably the most impacted is AFS' Mmati Jantjies Theletsane, who was vying for the cross-country spot, as she is now disqualified from contesting for a seat on the ASA board as AFS was her sole endorsement, which has since been withdrawn.

Odessa Swarts, also from AFS and running for the Track and Field Chairperson role, also finds her candidacy disqualified, while Enock Skosana of Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) loses votes from AFS and CGA but remains in the race as a current ASA board member.

The letter further states that most council members (clubs) were not even aware of the upcoming ASA Quadrennial General Meeting on 31 May, and as such requested the withdrawal of the AFS nominations list.

“We want to confirm that no council meeting was ever convened, and the board unilaterally submitted the nomination list to ASA for the upcoming elections without having consulted the AFS council.

"As such, we request that the nomination list submitted by AFS to ASA for QGM to be fully withdrawn as it is not the product of AFS Council.”

READ: SASCOC president insists there is no crisis at Athletics South Africa