SOUTH African Athletes, a body representing elite athletes, has defended renowned jumper Khotso Mokoena, saying it will be suicidal for him to go to compete in the Commonwealth Games in India.

"We all know that Crocodile (Mokoena) had been injured for some time now," said the body's spokesperson Sam Mlangeni yesterday.

Mokoena made it clear to Sowetan on Friday that he was not going to India because he has not been training since August because of an Achilles tendon injury.

This was despite the fact that South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), booked him a ticket to India at the weekend.

A highly respectable athlete, Mokoena sustained the injury in Kenya where he won a gold medal at the African Track and Field Championships.

"I find it strange that Sascoc are now trying to force Crocodile to go to India despite knowing very well that he is not in great shape," Mlangeni said.

"Khotso is a top athlete, just like Bullet (Mbulaeni Mulaudzi). If Crocodile goes to India and finishes last, there is no way he will be invited to other major meetings next year.

"Sascoc must not treat this boy like this because he has never snubbed South Africa. It is the same with Mulaudzi. They have always represented the country with dignity.

"We need to support them the same way we supported Caster Semenya. We will bank on them in the 2011 All Africa Games and 2011 World Championships."

After securing 14 medals, including five gold, with a 57-member athletics team in Melbourne in 2006, Team SA is likely to win less medals in New Delhi.

Said Mokoena: "I have made it clear that I'm injured but it looks like there are people who think I'm lying. I have not competed in three months."