KZN Athletics Clubs vote to remove Board
The impasse between the two bodies has had a negative impact on the day-to-day administration of athletics in KwaZulu-Natal, with KZNA as an Association currently in complete limbo.
KWAZULU-Natal Athletics Association was dealt a blow on Saturday when 126 clubs voted to remove the current Executive Board in its entirety and to place KZN under Athletics South Africa-appointed administration.
The 160 people representing the 126 clubs out of a total of 164 legitimate clubs that have purchased 2019 licenses to participate in KZN athletics this year, gathered at Moses Madhida Stadium on Saturday morning and gave a unanimous vote of no confidence in the KZNA Executive Board to represent the best interest of athletes and athletic clubs in KZN.
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According to a media report released on Tuesday, Steve Mkasi of KZN Athletics said the Executive Board of KZNA had been in conflict with the national body for some time.
The board was suspended pending a disciplinary process last year for, amongst other reasons, “undermining the integrity and authority of ASA, bringing the sport of athletics into disrepute and failing to act within established dispute resolution mechanisms and launching legal proceedings against ASA.”
The impasse between the two bodies has had a negative impact on the day-to-day administration of athletics in KwaZulu-Natal, with KZNA as an Association currently in complete limbo, and the association, clubs and athletes in the province under threat of possible further sanction from ASA.
Mkasi said the impact thereof would be disastrous for all registered athletes who compete within the structure, some as competitive athletes who aspire to gain provincial and national recognition and for most, the ability to qualify and participate in major events such as Comrades Marathon, Two Oceans and similar events.
Despite significant obstacles, and after having exhausted a promised undertaking on 24 December 2018 by KZNA General Manager Goodman Celi to call a SGM early in the new year, a Task Team, with the support of the clubs, eventually had no option but to convene Saturday’s meeting as a Special General Meeting with the sole purpose to decide on the suitability of the KZNA Executive Board to serve the interests of athletes in the province.
Mkasi said resistance from within the Executive Board to date have been massive and there may still be attempts to declare the meeting and decision invalid.
“There is still a massive amount to do, interim structures will need to be put in place, operations reinstated, and finances audited and re-aligned and relationships re-built. But this marks the turning point at which the affiliated clubs of KZNA have emphatically decided to take back control of their sport,” he said.
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