ASA boss blasts sports minister for undermining federation authority

Speaking to SABC Sport in Mangaung, Mathane claimed the minister travelled to Monaco to pursue a bid for South Africa to host a major senior athletics championship next year without consulting or receiving approval from ASA.

Mathane said he was shocked when World Athletics contacted ASA to enquire about a possible bid that the federation knew nothing about. 

He described the minister’s actions as disrespectful and a direct attempt to sideline ASA, and called on McKenzie to apologise to the federation.

"I am told the minister went to Monaco to bid for a competition to come to South Africa without involving us. That is undermining and I need to put it on record. He wants to have a track and field event in South Africa without consulting us as Athletics South Africa," said Mathane

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"It's undermining. Myself as the acting president, I was not even invited. I was told by SASCOC to say the minister has invited us to go to Monaco.When I asked the acting CEO, I was not invited. And up to today, the minister went and came back."

"He didn't talk to me. I mean, that is a disrespect. And I need to be honest with you that the minister disrespects Athletics South Africa so much. And I'm waiting for him to call me. And first thing first, before you speak to me, he must apologize for what action that he took."

Mathane, who also serves as president of Athletics Gauteng North, urged the minister to treat all sports federations equally. 

He said the manner in which ASA had been treated was embarrassing for local sports administrators and damaging to the federation’s reputation.

Mathane also questioned South Africa’s readiness to host a major international athletics championship. 

He said the country currently lacks the necessary facilities, pointing out that Pilditch Stadium has lost its international grading.

The ASA acting president insisted that any bid to host a global athletics event should first be discussed with the federation, which is responsible for the administration of the sport in South Africa.

Mathane, who has been serving as ASA acting president since October last year, said he feels deeply hurt by the minister’s actions.

The experienced administrator described the situation as a betrayal, saying the minister’s conduct had affected both him personally and ASA as an organisation.

Although McKenzie has repeatedly stated that his office has an open-door policy for all sports federations, Mathane dismissed that claim and said ASA has not experienced such openness.

He ended his criticism by suggesting that federations are being left to operate without the support they expect from the ministry.