By Duncan Mackay

Gideon Sam at London 2012November 13 - Gideon Sam is set to be re-elected unopposed as President of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) after challenger Irvin Khoza had a change of heart and withdrew from the election. 


Khoza, who had been the chairman of the Organising Committee of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, decided that he would support Sam at the election in Johannesburg on November 24 following a successful performance at London 2012.

"I have applied my mind on the implication of my standing for SASCOC Presidency and all other nominations," said Khoza.

"My thinking included the encouraging results from the London Olympics."

South Africa won a total of six medals at London 2012, including three gold.

Irvin Khoza behind footballLeading football administrator Irvin Khoza will support Gideon Sam after withdrawing from the Presidency for SASCOC

Khoza now believes that Sam, a former President of Swimming South Africa and Springbok team manager, deserves another term having only taken over four years ago, succeeding Moss Mashishi.

"My experience is that it takes more than one term to stabilise an organisation into sustainable, winning ways," said Khoza. 

Khoza, known in football circles as the "Iron Duke", was last week re-elected for another five year period  as chairman of South Africa's Premier Soccer League.

"I am therefore throwing my lot behind Mr Sam and his executive," said Khoza.

"I wish them luck over and above the hard work and dedication I know it takes to succeed."

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