Joe Morris’ birthday wish ahead of CGA elections

Morris celebrated his 74th birthday on Monday, but insists his real focus is on Saturday’s elections, set to take place at Germiston Stadium.

With more than 60 years’ experience as athletics official, Morris is contesting the deputy president position.

However, he says his primary concern is not personal ambition but ensuring that the province elects credible leaders who will serve the sport with integrity.

Morris told SABC Sport that he has only two wishes ahead of the eagerly anticipated elections: that clubs do not vote for corrupt officials and that the entire process is conducted transparently.

He believes being elected would place him closer to the incoming president, allowing him to offer guidance on how to steer one of the country’s biggest athletics provinces in the right direction.

READ: CGA admin counting on clubs to turn out in numbers for new board elections

“My birthday celebrations will be complete if I see two things on Saturday – free and fair elections and no rotten potatoes,” said 

Morris. “Let’s not recycle corrupt officials who have no interest in the sport but are only here to enrich themselves and enjoy the perks of travelling the world. I am grateful for another year added to my life, but Saturday is far more important to me. Club officials must not vote with their stomachs, but wisely, for decisive leadership.”

Morris admitted that the dissolution of the CGA board by Athletics South Africa (ASA) in October, and the appointment of Trevor Fredericks as administrator, left him embarrassed as an elder in the province and cast CGA in a negative light. He believes a province of CGA’s stature should not be run by an administrator when there are capable young leaders available.

According to Morris, internal infighting, backstabbing and self-serving interests within the previous board ultimately led to its dissolution. While the Independent Electoral Commission will oversee the elections to safeguard the process, Morris says his hope is to see a new face take charge of the province.

“Even if I don’t make it onto the new board, this is not about me,” he added. “I just want to see the right people elected. That alone would complete my birthday week. It would be far more valuable than any cake or gift.”