Johannesburg – Athletics SA (ASA) on Thursday suspended five of the country's regional athletics boards for acting outside the ASA constitution.
The move came after the five provincial boards, led by Boland, had allegedly recruited12 of the regional executives to attend a Special General Meeting in Johannesburg on Friday night.
“Athletics SA has taken note of the attempt by Boland Athletics to usurp the role of the national federation and call a general meeting of ASA,” the athletics body said in a statement on Thursday.
“Their attempt is a blatant attempt to undermine the Constitution of ASA, especially since an official annual general meeting of ASA is due to be held the next day.”
The suspension affected the boards of Boland, Central Gauteng, South West Districts, Western Province and KwaZulu Natal and was effective immediately.
However, it only affected the executive members and allowed all provincial commissions and other structures in each province to operate as usual in order to minimise the impact on the athletes, coaches and officials.
“No suspension shall be seen as a finding of guilt until the matter has been pronounced upon by the Disciplinary Committee,” the statement said.
Individual members of the provincial executives were also given the opportunity to make representation to ASA proving they were not party to the violations of the constitution with a view to being reinstated. – Sapa