Ngwenya steps down as KZNA Athletes' Commission chair

Martin Ngwenya has decided to step down from the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics board. The Mr. Price Sport Maxed Elite Running Manager took the top position on the Athletes' Commission during the KZNA Elections in April to earn a seat on the board alongside the federation's new president Steve Mkasi. But the man who is responsible for looking after all the top runners in the Maxed Elite Running Club says he has too much on his plate which has forced him to step aside.

Ngwenya says he now has more responsibilities in his job at Mr. Price Sport, which has forced him to step down from KZNA. Photo Credit: Martin Ngwenya.

"To be honest I have resigned because of my work load," he told #TheTopRunner. "If you can remember I was looking after the running club now I'm doing the whole sponsorship where I am responsible for the running club, The Sharks, Olympics as well as individual athletes and influencers," he said.

But Ngwenya was quick to emphasize that his choice was informed solely by the need to safeguard his professional reputation by living up to his commitment. This is as questions begin to be asked about whether he jumped or was pushed from a regional federation that has been no stranger to controversy over the last few years. "It's due to my work commitments nothing else just purely work commitments."

Ngwenya has been an athletes' representative for some time. Here he is pictured in January 2020 at the OR Tambo Garden Court where he attended a meeting of the national athlete's commission. Photo Credit: Martin Ngwenya.

Ngwenya is likely to be succeeded in his role by his vice chairperson Sandile Mthembu from Newcastle whom he is backing to do well. "This province has so much talent, we just need to work together. I'm 100% confident that KZNA can continue moving in the right direction to serve athletes, we just need all stakeholders to be involved such as clubs, coaches and administrators to work with the elected board and not against them," he said.

He also wished Zakithi Nene and Anaoso Jobodwana (the only KZNA athletes in the SA Olympic team) good luck at #Tokyo2021. "There is only one way to improve this situation. It's when we put all our differences aside and work as a collective. In that way all structures would be able to produce Olympians. All the best to our KZN boys Anaso, Zakithi and Team SA," he concluded.