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In the wake of leadership instability at the Olympic governing body Sascoc, there is a new call for a motion of no confidence to be passed in the board at the embattled organisation.
City Press has seen a letter from Canoeing SA, dated April 23 and addressed to other national federations, calling for support to push for an urgent meeting to remove the board at the Olympic governing body.
In response, Safa has already informed all Sascoc affiliates in a brief note signed by its president Danny Jordaan.
The football structure is backing Canoeing SA’s proposal for a meeting “to discuss items relating to the Sascoc board”.
Canoeing SA is proposing a vote of no confidence in the Sascoc board immediately and wants a team of administrators to be appointed to steer the ship until a new leadership is elected.
Sascoc was supposed to have elected its new leadership on March 28 but the polls, which were marred by controversy during the build-up, were postponed in the wake of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The latest developments follow the recent suspension of Sascoc acting president Barry Hendricks, who was placed on leave pending a probe into his alleged interference in the nomination process that saw several hopefuls being disqualified.
Hendricks is accused of conspiring to block the nomination of Tennis SA board member Muditambi “Ntambi” Ravele, an allegation he denies. He contends that his suspension was unconstitutional. He insists that he remains in charge despite the appointment of Athletics SA president Aleck Skhosana as Sascoc’s interim leader.
Interestingly, Skhosana was among those disqualified because he apparently had not submitted outstanding documents. He is challenging his disqualification.
On Saturday Safa issued a statement throwing a shade at Sascoc, while schooling the national Olympics body on its own constitution.
The football governing body said the Sascoc board did not have any constitutional powers to determine or approve nominations as this was the sole mandate of the nominated firm of auditors.
Safa is also of the view that “any candidate who submitted their names and is eligible, should be allowed to participate in the elections”.
“Sascoc, by its own admission, does not have bottomless resources and should stop this exercise of wasting money on endless court cases and seeking legal advice. These meagre resources should be used on athletes’ preparations for various championships,” reads part of the Safa statement.
Meanwhile, Canoeing SA secretary general Colin Simpkins confirmed the letter, which also accuses the members of the Sascoc board of being conflicted and of having a vested interest in the outcome of the elections.
Canoeing SA is suggesting that the general meeting “should be held as soon as possible [and] by whatever means that are constitutionally acceptable”.
“The unfortunate situation we find ourselves in calls for an urgent and firm approach in resolving the dismal state of affairs of the [Sascoc] board. We believe that holding this special general meeting despite the lockdown should be possible. If need be, the suggested meeting could be conducted electronically.
“We appeal to all of you our fellow members to support this call as soon as possible,” writes Simpkins.
