Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) president Karabo Mabilo has reiterated her call to end the politicisation of athletics, insisting that the federation’s new leadership is determined to put athletes and the sport’s development ahead of internal politics.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s Thembisa Mile at Lenmed Zamokuhle Private Hospital on August 27, Mabilo said the leadership elected in January had adopted an athlete-centred approach and would focus its energies on rebuilding athletics from the grassroots.

Her comments came after Thembisa Mile founder and race director Donald Mathipa called on CGA to strengthen club athletics and protect the sport’s future amid changing dynamics, particularly in road running.

Mabilo said the new leadership recognised that mistakes had been made in the past by placing popularity ahead of leadership ability, vision and passion for athletics.

“We have been putting people in positions because of popularity, but not necessarily aligning their leadership skills and passion,” she said. “That’s where the problem is. When we have people who don’t have a vision or future thinking about why they want to be in athletics, that’s why we have politics.”

Mabilo reiterated a message she delivered after taking office on January 25: “The days of politics are over.”

“We are done with semantics and side issues. What we are doing now, especially at CGA, is focusing on athletes. That is why we call ourselves an athlete-centred leadership.”

She said the federation would focus on practical initiatives to improve athletes’ lives, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.

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Mabilo said CGA would seek partnerships to provide running shoes and spikes, stationery and other support to young athletes, while also working to encourage more girls to participate in athletics and provide greater support for coaches and technical staff.

“We have to ensure that we plough back into athletics because, as Donald said, if we kill this thing, our names are going to be written in the history books and we will live to regret why we participated as leaders,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of the Thembisa Mile to the regional calendar, saying its greatest strength was its ability to bring elite athletes and aspiring youngsters together.

“What I love about the Thembisa Mile is the type of athletes that it attracts. It’s not only limited to the elites, but it also brings back that talent that we don’t even know is there,” Mabilo said.

With the race staged in the heart of Thembisa, she believes it can inspire a new generation to see athletics as an avenue to greater opportunities.

“It attracts a lot of youth. A child can see someone competing and think, ‘I can actually do that.’ That is what we are all about – developing athletes and showing these kids that there is more to life than just being corporate.”

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