KZNA fights ASA suspension

Prepared to press ‘trespassing charges’

THE KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) board has challenged Athletics South Africa’s (ASA’s) decision to suspend the provincial body’s executive.

ASA last week suspended KZNA and placed it under administration pending investigations “into possible irregularities” at the provincial body.

The KZNA board members last Thursday withdrew their urgent application for an interdict against the suspension.

ASA has since named labour lawyer and sports administrator Jay Reddy as the administrator for KZNA, where he would be tasked with working with the staff to “ensure the smooth operation of activities related to athletes, coaches, clubs and all stakeholders”.

But KZNA would have none of it and announced in a circular addressed to provincial members that it would press trespassing charges against anyone unlawfully intruding on its premises.

“The meeting resolved that the purported suspension of the KZNA board by the ASA board is irregular and unlawful, and therefore without any force and effect,” KZNA wrote in the circular. “No one without authority will be allowed to unlawfully take over the administration and operations of KZNA.

“KZNA is therefore not under administration and all structures and sub-structures remain fully functional as per the KZNA council mandate.”

According to ASA, it instituted the process following a resolution by its council on October 13 to send a letter of intent to suspend KZNA.

In the letter, it asked KZNA to give reasons why it should not be suspended by November 1.

“The KZNA board members, rather than motivating why they ought not to be suspended, challenged the authority of ASA and the procedure adopted by the general council in reaching a decision to so suspend,” ASA said in a statement last week.

“In the circumstances, no reasons against their suspension were furnished and the ASA board upon consideration of the circumstances duly suspended all members of the KZNA board.”

The KZNA board labelled the suspension a fishing expedition and witch-hunt, giving an example of the charges against it.

“Without providing any evidence, the ASA board infers that KZNA finances are not in order, but on the other hand, maliciously claims they were not submitted,” KZNA said.

“KZNA follows all council processes and… not once has the KZNA board missed or omitted to table at every council since 2012.”

In closing, KZNA president Sello Mokoena said the province “still extends a hand of friendship to ASA at all times” and it was open to discussing the issues with the mother body.