Four provincial athletics bodies have told national president Leonard Chuene and his board to resign by Wednesday or face criminal charges for fraud and failing to release the organisation’s annual financial statements.

The bodies, which have previously objected to the manner in which the Athletics SA (ASA) boss and his executive had handled the Caster Semenya affair, have added to their list of grievances the board’s defiance to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).

The bodies said in a statement issued early on Tuesday morning that the ASA board had defied their own council – the federation’s most important decision-making structure – which in September had agreed that they would adhere to the findings of a Sascoc inquiry.

The ASA board was suspended last week, but they have since refused to go arguing that Sascoc was not entitled to take that action.

“The board of ASA is now not happy with the outcome and seeks to contest it through legal means. The ASA Board does not have the mandate of all its member provinces to engage in any legal proceedings against Sascoc.”

The four unions – Western Province, Eastern Province, Boland and Free State – said further that attempts to get the annual report from ASA general manager Molatelo Malehopo had failed.

They warned that if the ASA board had not resigned by noon on Wednesday, “criminal charges shall be laid against each individual member of the ASA board for various breaches of the Companies Act, including the failure to provide members with financial statements despite a direct request”.

“Criminal charges will be laid against each individual member of the ASA board for fraud, for intentionally lying to the members of ASA (in September), with the intention of causing them to act to their prejudice or potential prejudice.”

The four unions are also threatening to lay charges against the board members with ASA’s disciplinary committee for bringing the sport into disrepute and for violating ASA’s constitution.

They added: “A Special General Meeting of ASA will be called to consider a motion of impeachment against each individual member of the ASA Board.”
Sourced via timeslive.co.za

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Athletics South Africa yesterday described the dominance of the South African runners in the men’s top 10 of the Comrades Marathon as the dawn of a new era in road running.

At the same time, South African women grabbed five of the top 10 spots.

In the men’s section, South African runners won seven of the 10 gold medals in the 89,17km ultra marathon won by Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi.

Muzhingi crossed the finish line in a time of 5hrs:23min:26sec, the second fastest in history.

Leonard Chuene, Athletics South Africa president, said yesterday: “We are proud of all the South African runners who participated and represented us well.

“Our runners, both men and women, are sending a clear message that South Africans are out to reclaim their position in the Comrades Marathon.”

Muzhingi, 33, who finished third last year, is hoping the Zimbabwean government will also give him a cash incentive like “they did to Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry”.

“I will be investing the money in various businesses in Zimbabwe,” said Muzhingi, who pocketed R200000 for his victory.

Russian Leonid Shvetsov was second in 5:33.09, with Charles Tjiane the first South African home in a time of 5:34:20.

“It’s incredible, I worked hard for it,” said Tjiane.
Sourced via sowetan.co.za

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