Julian Drew
THE row over the Sepeng contract is merely the latest in a series of controversies which have dogged Athletics South Africa (ASA), most of them centring on the chief executive officer of the federation, Bernard Rose.
The former athletes’ agent and sales and marketing manager for a sports shoe company was appointed on April 1 1994, on the recommendation of the commission of inquiry into athletics conducted by the then president of ASA, former judge Mervyn King.
When Rose took the post athletics was in turmoil. The previous interim administration had concentrated more on politics and forgotten about the bills. Rose quickly identified a few trusted lieutenants who understood his kind of language and arranged the so-called “April Fools” elections which ushered in democracy on April 1 last year.
At the same time he began smartening up the image of athletics and earning some serious money for both the sport and himself.
Rose had negotiated a contract with ASA which allegedly gave him a fixed salary as well as commission on all new business he could bring into the organisation. He has refused to divulge details of his contract, but his commission is believed to be more than 10%.
Several sponsors parted ways with ASA, with some complaining about Rose’s handling of negotiations. New sponsors were swiftly brought in and Rose and the sport began to reap the dividends. But rumours began spreading about Rose’s contract, resulting in growing dissatisfaction within the athletics fraternity.
Although the two track medals won at Atlanta represent an improvement on South Africa’s performance at the previous Olympics, critics argue that ASA can claim little responsibility. The most tangible results of the much-talked about, but little- implemented development programme for athletics are the two cars now being driven by ASA’s president, Leonard Chuene, and secretary general Banele Sindani, the first paid incumbent of ASA’s now defunct Development Foundation.
An excellent start to coaching development was made by the International Amateur Athletic Federation through a project sponsored by the British government in 1995. But there is still no national coaching structure up and running.
There are also many other problems in the sport, particularly at the provincial level. But in fairness to ASA many of these involve protagonists who have yet to bury their pre- unity differences. ASA’s behavior has not helped matters, though, and it is seen to be partisan in its handling of crises like the one in Boland where two rival executives contested their legitimacy in court. A court ruling led to elections last week, the outcome of which ASA is refusing to accept.
Although many involved with athletics feel strongly about the damage the current administration is doing to the sport, they are unwilling to speak out for fear of victimisation. Their fears can be understood, considering the treatment allegedly handed out to Philip Spies by ASA.
Spies tested positive for a banned substance last year after receiving clearance from ASA’s doping control officer to use the offending substance – a multi-vitamin supplement. At a meeting with Rose and Sindani on November 15 last year, at which Spies was hauled over the coals for having challenged ASA on his suspension, he was reportedly told in no uncertain terms what would happen to him.
“The meeting ended with Bernard Rose saying he would fuck up my life and my athletics career if I ever fucked with them again,” recalls Spies. The athlete continued his efforts to clear his name and paid the price. He was left out of the Olympic team despite having the second highest number of qualifying marks in South Africa.