Soweto athletics clubs put up united front

SOWETO athletics clubs have formed a new structure to represent their interests, with the first priority being to get control of the running of the Soweto Marathon.

They have formed the Soweto Athletics Committee with former Central Gauteng board member and development manager Stan Itshegetseng as chairman.

Steven Khanyile is the deputy chairman, Sinday Sibiya secretary, Mduduzi Nkhutha deputy secretary and Ben Mahlakane treasurer.

Four additional members have also been elected. They are Nhlanhla Mshayisa, Mpho Mabuza, Muzo Khoza and Nomava Mgidi.

"We have identified the Soweto Marathon as a great opportunity for Soweto athletics clubs to grow and promote the sport as well as our township," said Itshegetseng.

"We are unhappy about the fact that Soweto was terribly undermined by both Athletics South Africa and Central Gauteng Athletics.

"ASA and CGA are presenting great challenges to Soweto athletics clubs by continuously refusing to hand over the running of the Soweto Marathon to the people of Soweto.

"ASA is no longer welcome in the township to organise the Soweto Marathon. If ASA is not prepared to bow out of the Soweto Marathon, we will make sure they regret it. We are tired of being treated like second-class citizens who do not have the capacity to think for themselves, just as we were treated under apartheid sport. ASA does not dictate to the organisers of Two Oceans and Comrades marathons on how to run their affairs. Why are they imposing themselves on the Soweto Marathon?

ASA CEO Frik Vermaak responded: "ASA will in future deal with the athletics structures in Soweto and Central Gauteng Athletics with regard to the marathon.

"We are setting up the necessary structure to control all future events of the Soweto Marathon."