Ramsamy: Athletics row no big deal

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 25: Dr Sam Ramsamy during the SASCOC media briefing at Olympic House on June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 25: Dr Sam Ramsamy during the SASCOC media briefing at Olympic House on June 25, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published Nov 13, 2013

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Pretoria – In comparison with some of the intense political battles he’s resolved in more than 40 years in sports administration, Sam Ramsamy sees the impasse between Sascoc (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) and ASA (Athletics South Africa) as a storm in a teacup.

The perspective is befitting of the IOC (International Olympics Committee) member who played an integral role in campaigning during apartheid for South Africa to be recognised by international sports bodies.

Ramsamy was a key figure in the re-integration of South African national teams into the international sporting arena.

With his administrative credentials, it is not surprising he views the discord in such a light.

“This is very simple. It’s a question of getting together with the IAAF and the other stakeholders to get the movement going. I was deeply involved in the expulsion of apartheid South Africa from Fifa. I was deeply involved in its expulsion from the IAAF and international swimming. This is relatively easy and small,” said the veteran administrator who believes a resolution will be reached before the beginning of the athletics season next year.

Although he had hoped the wheels of rectification would have been set in motion by now, IAAF official Cheikh Thiare, the executive assistant to president Lamine Diack handling the case allegedly cancelled his trip at the last minute last month due to illness.

Following the non-arrival of Thiare, Sascoc boss Gideon Sam lambasted the international body for the delay, claiming there was a sinister force at work.

Ramsamy was, however, far less cynical in his interpretation of events. “He couldn’t make it. We are trying to arrange for another meeting. It’s important that the IAAF, who are the main players in the issue, are here. I am looking at ways and means of making sure that our dates are mutually convenient. There is one person who is fully conversant with the issues that happened between the IAAF and ASA. It’s a continuation of that process. Therefore to get a new person means starting from scratch again. So its better to wait for the person to get well.”

With the IAAF awards coming up on Saturday, Ramsamy hopes to engage with the world athletics body on the matter and agree on a way forward. “Together with the IAAF we will decide who out of the many people we will engage with in finding a way forward. We are trying to set a date,” he said.

Athletes are hoping the man entrusted again with resolving the future of South African athletics will pull through for them, in time for the start of the athletics season next year.

Pretoria News

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