World Athletics warns SA over interference as ASA awaits SASCOC intervention

The warning follows Athletics South Africa’s recent appearance before Parliament’s portfolio committee, where a recommendation was made to dissolve the federation’s board.

That development has raised serious red flags at World Athletics, which has consistently taken a hard stance against political interference in member federations.

Prior to the parliamentary hearing, ASA had already submitted a detailed roadmap to both SASCOC and World Athletics outlining plans to address internal challenges and restore stability within the organisation.

WA responded by backing ASA’s approach, granting the federation time and space to implement reforms, while placing it under close monitoring, rather than administration, but the situation escalated after the portfolio committee’s intervention.

In a letter seen by SABC Sport, the world governing body warns that any further interference could result in ASA’s suspension or expulsion – threatening to bar SA athletes from competing on the global stage, including the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

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Precedents such as Athletics Kenya and All-Russia Athletic Federation were noted by WA, both of which faced severe sanctions under similar circumstances.

ASA has since turned to SASCOC for urgent intervention, formally requesting a public response to the recommendation to dissolve its board.

However, the national body has pushed back, rejecting ASA’s roadmap in its current form and calling for further revisions, despite World Athletics having already endorsed the document.

ASA vice-president John Mathane confirmed the seriousness of the situation, warning that the federation’s future now hangs in the balance.

“World Athletics has made it clear they are satisfied with our report and will continue to monitor us. But the portfolio committee misunderstood the situation and treated it as if we were under administration,” said Mathane.

He added that WA urged SASCOC to work collaboratively with ASA to resolve the crisis, or risk triggering drastic consequences.

“If SASCOC does not engage us and map a way forward, we could face expulsion or be forced down a legal route. This is something we must resolve urgently, for the sake of our athletes,” he said.

With SASCOC having already proposed amendments to ASA’s roadmap, the next move by the national Olympic body could prove decisive – not only for the governance of athletics in South Africa, but for the country’s place on the global stage.

This is a developing story...