By Nick Butler

It is unlikely Hendrick Ramaala will be able to participate in the ASA Presidential Elections ©Getty ImagesA member of Athletics South Africa's (ASA) ad-hoc committee has threatened to resign if the decision to prevent Hendrick Ramaala running for the vacant Presidential position is not revoked.


Ramaala, the 42-year-old winner of the 2004 New York Marathon, served as ASA vice-president between 2012 and 2013, and announced plans to run for President last month. 

His name was submitted to Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) by the Sports Interchange Athletics Club, but was rejected on a technicality due to the fact he is currently registered as an athlete with a Gauteng North club.

In response, Sam Mlangeni, one of the seven committee members who is also a member of Sport Interchange, sent a letter to the ASA Office last Wednesday (May 14), which was also sent to International Association of Athletics Federations representative Cheikh Thiare.

He demanded the decision be revoked, adding: "If I don't get a positive response I will have no choice but to consider my resignation letter."  

This comes following a long-running dispute among the ASA leadership, which led to the Board being suspended in June 2013 by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) after members ignored sanctions placed on it, before being dissolved in December at an annual general meeting in Johannesburg.

A meeting initially set for May 24, but now due to be held a fortnight later on June 7, is being billed as a "landmark meeting" in which a new Board will be elected.

But if Ramaala is unable to stand, it appears unlikely the friction in the governing body will be completely erased.

Included on the list of five nominees for the Presidential position, meanwhile, is Dr Harold Adams, the doctor who foresaw the gender-test controversy involving South Africa's winner of the 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Caster Semenya.

A SASCOC report found in 2010 that Dr Adams had advised then ASA President Leonard Chuene that Semenya be withdrawn from the Championships because of the results of gender tests done on her in South Africa beforehand, only for Chuene to ignore the advice. 

The scandal involving teenage 800m runner Caster Semenya was the first in a wave of problems involving ASA ©Getty ImagesThe scandal involving teenage 800m runner Caster Semenya was the first in a wave of problems involving ASA ©Getty Images



In the absence of Ramaala, the leading contender is the incumbent President James Evans, despite the fact he was removed from office when the latest scandal broke last year. 

The remaining three nominees consist of the ASA interim board chairman Sello Mokoena, along with Steve Mkasi and Aleck Skhosana.

Elections will also take place during the same meeting for vice-president, and for the chairmanship of commissions spanning cross-country, road running and track and field, as well as an Athletes' Commission.