Shock as Central Gauteng Athletics Withdraws All Candidates from ASA Polls

Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) has pulled its entire nomination list from the forthcoming Athletics South Africa (ASA) elections. This means no candidates backed by CGA will appear on the ballot when voting takes place this Saturday at the Southern Sun Hotel in Johannesburg.

Blow to Key Candidates

This move delivers a significant blow to Gladwin Mzazi. He is the former World Student Games 10,000m champion and CGA’s nominee for the ASA Athletes’ Commission chairperson. Alongside Mzazi, ASA president James Moloi and CGA vice-president Karabo Mabilo—who is vying for the ASA vice-president role—also lose CGA’s endorsement. Despite this setback, Mabilo remains a contender. He has gained four additional nominations from other provinces.

Central Gauteng Athletics Confirms Withdrawal

Mandla Radebe, CGA’s general manager, confirmed the withdrawal during an exclusive interview with SABC Sport. He expressed sympathy for Mzazi, who was reportedly devastated by the council’s decision. Radebe faces the challenging task of formally informing ASA of CGA’s withdrawal just days before the election.

Council Cites Flawed Nomination Process

The decision comes amid concerns that the nomination list was not properly compiled. A reliable source indicated this could be a deliberate attempt to disrupt the election process. According to Radebe, the council found that clubs were excluded from the nomination process. This exclusion undermined the legitimacy of the list.

“The council reviewed the situation and determined the list must be pulled back. They have no intention of submitting a new list, choosing instead to retract the previously submitted names,” said Radebe. “Clubs were not consulted during the nomination process, which was a serious flaw.”

Impact on the Province and ASA Elections

The repercussions for the province are significant. CGA represents the country’s second-largest athletics region. It is unprecedented for such a key province to withhold its endorsement or abstain from voting during the ASA elections, according to insiders.

This withdrawal raises questions about the internal dynamics within CGA. It also raises concerns regarding the broader impact on the ASA leadership race. With such a large province absent from the voting process, the elections could face an unexpected shift in power dynamics. Athletes and stakeholders are watching closely as the situation unfolds.

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