Hendrik Ramaala competing in the 10 000m event at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta
Elite marathon runner Hendrick Ramaala has been elected vice-president of Athletics South Africa (ASA).
Ramaala won the race to the vice-president’s post at the quadrennial ASA elections in Johannesburg on Saturday.
James Evans was re-elected as president of the federation.
“It is pleasing to see that the current board was on the right track and members are voting for continuity,” Evans said.
Harold Adams was the only other figure running for the president’s post after Ramaala, former vice-president Motlatsi Keikabile and Aleck Skhosana withdrew their nominations.
Evans received 33 votes with Adams getting 24.
Ramaala, who won the 2004 New York Marathon, got 31 votes for the vice-president’s seat — five more than Pillay, a double Commonwealth bronze medallist.
Adams, Keikabile and Skhosana withdrew their nominations for vice-president, leaving both top positions as two-horse races.
“We are very excited about the next four years,” Ramaala said.
“We need to make the sport work and focus on growing the sport to match and outplay the other major sports such as rugby and cricket.”
The Chuene legacy
Evans took over as ASA president in July last year after a tumultuous three-year ride following the suspension and removal of former ASA president Leonard Chuene and his board.
Chuene and other board members were banned from involvement in any sport under the jurisdiction of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, for up to seven years, following investigations of fraud and corruption, and their involvement in the Caster Semenya gender debacle.
“It’s gratifying to have the confidence of the provinces and council,” Evans said.
“The mix of experienced administrators, recently active athletes and specialists in the disciplines makes for a strong, capable board.”
Newly elected ASA board: James Evans (president), Hendrick Ramaala (vice-president), Geraldine Pillay (athletes’ commission), Andre Gobey (cross country chair), James Moili (road running chair), Pieter Laurens (track and field), Shireen Noble, Ester Malema, Blanche Moila, and Marvin Draai. — Sapa.