Skhosana accused of being a "bully" leaving administrators scared to enter ASA Elections

With less than a month to go before Athletics South Africa’s (ASA) elections nominations deadline, there is still no one who has entered the race to challenge Aleck Skhosana for the position of president. Influential administrators in the sport are reluctant to challenge for the top job because they are scared of Skhosana whom they call a “bully.”

The eagerly awaited ASA elections will take place at the Southern Sun Hotel in Kempton Park on 8 May. The only administrator that is keen to challenge the incumbent is former Kwa-Zulu Natal Athletics president Sello Mokoena who does not qualify to enter, as he does not belong to a club. The initial deadline for nominations was 3 March. However following an urgent ASA board meeting, the Nominations Committee changed that to April 9 in order to allow Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) to hold their elections first on 20 March.

Skhosana says people should stop hiding behind the media and face him openly in the elections. Photo Credit: ASA.

The extension was also necessitated by Kwa-Zulu Natal Athletics (KZNA) suspension, which had to be turned over first before that province could endorse its members to take part in the national elections. KZNA is in the process of electing a new administration which would then make the regional federation eligible to contest the elections. However, the top brass in athletics told #TheTopRunner that they are scared of entering the elections, even though they want to see a change in the leadership position because they fear for their lives. They described Skhosana as a bully.

“Skhosana is a bully and we are scared to run for the highest position in ASA office. What will happen if I enter and lose?” Said one prominent official, who asked to remain anonymous. Another added that he wants to contest the elections, but he fears for his life. “If I get the guarantees that the elections would be fair and free, I would enter them. But I am scared," he said suggesting that he would feel safer if World Athletics were to send a mediator to oversee the process.

ASA Board Members will be automatically re-nominated to run in the May 8 elections. Photo Credit: ASA.

But Skhosana who is running for a second full-term in office, blatantly denied the allegation threatening to take to court anyone who accuses him of blocking his or her path. The ASA boss labelled them as faceless cowards who hide behind the media saying they should face him like a man instead of sabotaging him. “Go to the ASA website and check out our constitution, it explains how anyone can enter. I am not blocking anyone's path and have no time to entertain faceless people. They must come out and face me. I have no desire to block anyone from contesting the elections," said a furious Skhosana.

Skhosana said the focus should be on the return of track and field events as athletes are competing all over the country. He said he would speak on whether or not he will run for a second term after the announcement of the nomination list in April. According to the ASA constitution, all sitting board members are automatically re-nominated. Clubs must nominate candidates and then the provinces must endorse these nominations. However, insiders said as things stand Skhosana is the only one contesting for the hot seat, which means he could contest the ASA elections unopposed.