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The president of the Eastern Province Athletics (EPA) Sticks Stighling says he has not yet decided whether he will seek another term or step away from the sport entirely when they hold elections for a new board in September.
However, current president Sticks Stighling has not yet decided whether he will seek another term or step away from the sport entirely.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Stighling revealed he is weighing the option of retiring alongside his wife, who will be going on pension next year, or staying on for another four years to mentor and prepare the next generation of leadership in the Eastern Cape.
Stighling, a seasoned athletics administrator since 1996, served on the inaugural board of Athletics South Africa (ASA) and previously held the role of president at Athletics Gauteng North.
Earlier this year, he led Eastern Province Athletics (EPA) to being named Athletics Province of the Year at the ASA Awards in January.
He told SABC Sport that, for now, he is not planning to contest for another term on the board, although several people inside and outside the organisation have encouraged him to stay on.
“At this point, I haven’t made up my mind. If they sit down with me and convince me to continue, I might reconsider,” he said.
“It’s not about any specific issue, but my wife is also retiring in February next year, and leading a province comes with full-time responsibility.
You have to be fully available, and that hasn’t been easy for me, especially coming from Port Alfred. The past four years have been challenging. I only stepped in because of the problems at the time and was asked to take over. If I don’t stand again, I’ll still be available to assist where I can.”
Part of him feels it's time to retire at 73 and spend more time on his farm with his grandchildren.
“That’s one side pulling me,” he said. “But my love for athletics is pulling me in the other direction. I’m still a social runner and haven’t lost a race this year.
There are no issues at EPA — in fact, we’ve almost doubled in size. The effort I’ve put in over the past four years has elevated EPA, and I’ve been involved in athletics for 46 years.
I also run a development group in Port Alfred, and the thought of leaving those youngsters behind worries me. I hope you understand the dilemma I’m facing,” he added.
