Verster raises his hand for ASA presidency as Zakhele Dlamini addresses leadership crisis

ASA held a press conference to address its ongoing leadership crisis, with Southern Africa Confederation of Athletics (SACA) president Zakhele Dlamini, Verster and CEO Terence Magogodela facing tough questions about the turmoil gripping the national federation.

Verster was appointed acting president by the ASA council until its next meeting on 28 November, when his appointment will either be ratified or rejected.

However, the former coach of Caster Semenya and Nigel Amos has made it clear that he is willing to stay in the position beyond the next council meeting and lead the federation until next year’s elections in June.

Verster believes there is support for him to take charge, and Dlamini appears to share that view. 

"To be honest with you, you were asking me about grey hair. I think I have a few grey hairs. To be honest, I will serve wherever I can. I have never auditioned for anything; people have asked me to assist. I am from an athlete coaching side, so for me, the administration side has always just been to serve the athletes, and if I can serve further, I will do it, but it's not the main aim. It is there for our athletes to get the system right, execute this roadmap, and hopefully establish a system where whoever is in charge will have the foundation to run our sport properly, hopefully for the next 30 years," said Verster.

READ: Caster Semenya backs SA’s Olympic Games ambitions

Verster, who previously coached Olympic 800m medallists Caster Semenya and Nigel Amos, says he would gladly accept the responsibility of leading ASA for the next eight months if the council approves his appointment on 28 November.

Dlamini has also revealed that the ASA board had lost confidence in former acting president John Mathane and was no longer prepared to work with him.

He says Mathane would not have been allowed to continue in the position even if he had not resigned.

Mathane recently walked out of a board meeting after becoming unhappy with the council’s decision to appoint another acting president instead of allowing him to continue in the role.

Verster has confirmed that ASA accepted Mathane’s resignation as deputy president on Saturday but says the federation will still deliberate on how he should repay the R150 000 he owes.

The money relates to funds Mathane spent during the World Athletics U20 Championships in the United States in August. 

Verster insists that Mathane’s resignation does not mean the matter will be swept under the carpet.

Dlamini, who is the vice-president of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and president of Athletics Eswatini, has been tasked by World Athletics to mediate and help ASA find a way forward.

He believes holding additional elections to replace former president James Moloi and Mathane, who has resigned, could place an unnecessary financial burden on the federation.

Dlamini says Verster’s appointment could provide stability while ASA works towards its scheduled elections next year.