Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Athletics South Africa (ASA's) president Leonard Chuene will stand for re-election when the provinces of the national controlling body elect new office bearers in April next year.

Chuene told Sowetan yesterday he decided to stand for re-election after the affiliates showed a vote of confidence in his leadership at ASA.

This was at the body's two-day council meeting during the national cross-country championships in Witbank, Mpumalanga, at the weekend.

"I'm encouraged by the confidence that was demonstrated in me by the members from the provinces," said a thrilled Chuene yesterday.

"The confidence of our members in me shows that they appreciate what I have been doing for ASA. I want to point out that we have been succeeding at ASA because of the support of our affiliates.

"I will try hard to work even harder to take ASA to greater heights. I will also continue to work in tandem with the affiliates to ensure that we succeed in turning the association around.

"I was also congratulated for my election as a council member of the IAAF [in Osaka] two weeks ago and I'm committed to represent South Africa with aplomb at the international level," said the ASA boss.

Chuene is likely to be retained as ASA president for the next four years and is looking forward to continuing making the national body a success story.

Yesterday he also thanked Nedbank and Yellow Pages for their continued support of athletics.

"We are also humbled by what Adidas have been doing for us and we feel proud for their involvement in athletics. The same goes to national lottery and the government," he said.

"We will continue to knock at the companies' doors for more sponsorship because we really want to make ASA a success."