'Clubs have been asking me to come back' - Sello Mokoena eyes return to leadership as KZNA Elections approach

With the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) elections likely to take place in June, the regional federation's former President Sello Mokoena has became the first man to declare himself available for a position on the board. After serving as president for a period of seven years between 2012 and 2019 before being forced to resign, Mokoena is eyeing a return to the hot-seat. Speaking during a press conference on Friday (7 March) in Morningside, Durban, Mokoena revealed that there are clubs that would like to see him take power and he has accepted their mandate to serve the people for the benefit of the growing the sport.

Mokoena says clubs want him to return to the helm of KZNA. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"Since the clubs have been in touch with me and asking me to come back into the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics structures, I have decided to respect their wishes and make myself available for the next elections. If people trust you enough to give you a platform to serve them, then you must do as they ask," said an upbeat Mokoena.

Although he played his cards close to his chest regarding the exact board position that he is eyeing, Mokoena did reveal that leading the embattled coastal federation to calmer waters would be top of his list of priorities were he to be elected. And to avoid the mix-up from the last elections where he struggled to get a club's official endorsement, Mokoena is now a registered Athletics South Africa (ASA) license holder under a development club Zabalaza Athletics Club, which is based in Hammarsdale outside of Durban. The man who also served as the chairman of the interim board that ran ASA when James Evans stepped down in 2014, says his most important task in leading KZNA would be to mend strained relationships between the federation and some of its close stakeholders. 

Mokoena pictured alongside former CMA Chairperson Cheryl Winn. He says mending the strained relationship between KZNA and the CMA would be one of his first agenda items, were he to be elected. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"At this stage, I don't know where they want to deploy me but time will tell, but I we need to stabilise relations between KZNA and its members such as the Comrades Marathon Association as well as its parent body Athletics South Africa, while improving relations between KZN Athletics, municipalities and Departments of Sport, Arts and Culture in the province. Building a strong Balance Sheet and growing the KZN Athletics brand to make it attractive to funders is also a priority," he explained.

Mokoena further highlights the need to revive races like the Mandela Marathon and events happening in the rural areas to benefit local communities and identify and develop talent in those outlying areas of KZN. 

Mokoena remains passionate about development. Here he is pictured with province's rising stars and a young Zakithi Nene (bottom right) after a youth and sub-youth KZNA track and field competition. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"Support event organisers to grow running communities by reviving the likes of the Mandela Marathon, JG Zuma Marathon and greatly harnessing the potential that is inherent in the Joseph Shabalala Marathon in Ladysmith. Then we can levy events appropriately and use the revenue to increase participation in the sport by making it easier for youth and children to join the sport through free issuing of junior license, free travel and accommodation to district  provincial and national competitions, free Cross Country League competitions and offer free provincial colours to those who earned it through qualifying to represent the province at national events. We must revive development through District Schools Relays," he said.

Mokoena, who nows runs the Wildniss Academy in Pinetown, believes the province still needs an Academy to produce future champions. During his term, he backed two similar structures which were based in Newcastle and Durban respectively. Olympian Zakithi Nene and Boxer Athletics Club top runner Cacisile Sosibo are products of those development structures.