Sam: ‘We’re raising the bar’
September 4th, 2010 | Published in Road Forward | 17 Comments
SASCOC president Gideon Sam pulled no punches at the national Olympic governing body’s annual general meeting in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Reacting to criticism of the recent announcement of the South African team to do duty at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in October, Sam stuck to his guns. “We have raised the bar and we are sticking to our decisions, there is no more debate about it… if people are not happy with the way teams have been selected then they must wait until the next Olympic cycle in 2013.
“Why I didn’t respond immediately to the recent criticism was because I was waiting for the various presidents of the different federations to stand up and defend their selections as the fact of the matter is that we are guided by the federations in matters of selection.
“In terms of the next Olympics in 2012, there are between 10-15 very real medal prospects for us (remember my goal of 12 medals in 2012) and we are backing these sportsmen and women 100% and putting all our resources behind them.’
Sam’s also already looking past London and on to the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“Our athletes’ support programme for 2016 is about to kick in to identify prospective medal-winning athletes and the coaches to help them there. Our federations have come up with a squad of athletes and we at SASCOC will render support, expose them to international competition etc.
“These names will be made public, and no doubt the public will complain, but our various federations (there are 74 under the SASCOC umbrella) must be able to defend their selection choices.”
Sam also had stern words for some of the federations. “I’m sick and tired of begging some of the presidents for information about their athletes and if need be we will go straight to the athletes.”
SASCOC board member and chairman of the High Performance Commission, Jace Naidoo, backed Sam. “I’ve heard a lot of talk about ‘Gideon killing the sport” etc, etc this week but what’s happened is that the federations have all stood up and raised the bar themselves. The days of us just taking a team because there’s an international event happening are over.
“As leaders we need to make tough decisions, we simply cannot be nice to everyone all the time. Raising the bar is about winning medals at international meetings and it can’t just be at SASCOC level. It’s up to each federation to come to the party. When the athletes get the chance to take part at multi-coded events the federations must ensure that they are already at that level of competition.”
Saturday’s meeting, the last major gathering of SASCOC for 2010, was opened by first vice-president Hajera Kajee, who congratulated Team SA on winning 11 medals at the recent inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore. “That’s one medal short of the 12 we’re targeting at 2012 in London. Admittedly there are plenty of posers ahead of us but our mindset now is that what we used to look at as problems, we now consider as challenges… a more positive outlook.”
Earlier in his keynote address, Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Gert Oosthuizen, touched on the issue of South Africa bidding to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
“Let me tell all concerned that our silence at the Sports Ministry certainly does not mean there is any loss of appetite. Not all. We are engaging all the relevant stakeholders, national and international.
“We ask people to be patient with us as we are still awaiting the full reportback from our successful hosting of the Soccer World Cup 2010 and then we will take matters further.”
Oosthuizen also said it was vital for the successful sustaining of the World Cup stadia going forward. “We are awaiting a full reportback by the end of September on this issue. The maintenance/upkeep and guarantee of equipment is essential.
“What is for sure is that we need to keep these 10 stadiums going but we can’t have it becoming a money-making job for stadium operators with profits going into back pockets. We’re looking for optimal use of the stadiums and at the same time affordable tickets for the paying public.”
Oosthuizen was also a little perturbed about the eligibility standards of many sports. “It seems that national honours are becoming almost cheap. We must perhaps set higher minimum standards. I remember playing rugby for my province for seven times before I got my provincial colours.
“We must remember that setting personal bests is all very well but we should be looking at ensuring that the standard is an international one. It’s tough but we just can’t make each and everyone a champion.”
Also taking place on Saturday was the signing of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between SASCOC and their Zimbabwean counterparts the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.
ZOC president Admire Masende was present to sign the agreement. “You guys have many, many more federations than us but already I know there a lot of areas where we are already working together and we can work still further.”
SASCOC already have MOU’s with almost 90 countries.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:24 pm (#)
If you consider that “athletics” is the glamour sport of the Olympics then we are in serious trouble. And the main reason for that is because SASCOC’s so called interim body is no better than that of Chuene, Sindani et al – they may even be worse. The fact that one of SA’s all time best female middle distance athletes is ignored for the games is ridiculous – because it not just about medals – it is about reaching the finals. And if even ONE of these so-called officials had EVER competed and performed ina majot championship I would be prepared to listen, but they have NOT.
September 5th, 2010 at 11:47 am (#)
how can Mr Sam be “looking beyond London 2012 and at Rio in 2016″? lets first get to London and see how many medals we’ll get there. athletics is expected to provide the most but the sport is in a mess. fix athletics first please Mr Sam before you talk about fixing all 74 federations. start with the biggest
September 5th, 2010 at 2:24 pm (#)
mr sam…
U dont know what you’re talking about, you left female middle distance athletes,they’ ve been out there ran against the best, but you wont know because you dont care.
These athletes must get a citizenship in a country thet will value thier sacrifises…
Especially the 1500m ladies mapaseka amd rene, you should get thier results from the ueropean season, such athletes need support from thier federatin and sascoc.
They’re potential finalist and anything can happen in the final.
September 5th, 2010 at 6:22 pm (#)
Mr Sam is just another tyrant!
He is running sport in a mafia style. It is shocking to read his comments. Cant you see that the overwhelming majority of athletics people are not happy about your decision.
Mr Oosthuizen and his boss is just way to silent. They need to be replaced by Butana Kompela, as Minister of Sport! He will shape Gideon and his lifetime sascoc CEO out.
As mentioned previously, Junior competitions should be large in terms of numbers.
Continental and minor international championship competitions should also be large in terms of its numbers. This will form a base for the Olympic Games.
The smaller your teams, the worst your end product (olympics) will be.
I hope the SASCOC leadership is taking note of the african team to the world cup in athletics. SA has 14 athletes representing the continent. We could have had more had the Richard Stander and Ray Mali not messed our sport up and not selecting our athletes who could have meddaled.
You are not even concerned about continuity, e.g Cornell will replace LJ Van Zyl next season…Luvo will replace Khotso soon.
Juan Van Deventer ran within a second of the SA 1500 record.
Tshamano Setone and Elroy Gelant ran brilliant times this year for the first time. give them opportunities to compete amongst the best and you will see much more. Stephen Mokoka is anoter athlete that will be lost in athletics as he is focussing on road running where he is taken seriously.
Mapaseka, Rene and the Phalula’s are also left out.
Why not take these athletes (to name a few) as part of the team for experience.
There is not replacement in the 800m if Mulaudzi is not competing.
If Rubin is not running steeple chase, there is nobody.
There is no continuity in our sport. If we host the 2020 olympics… we will do the same as safa did and expect miracles.
What message are we sending to up and coming athletes. there is no future in sport in this country. Change your mindset or get out of sport and get sports people to run the sport.
September 6th, 2010 at 9:20 am (#)
What stupid remarks!Any structures in place to be pro-active for more medals? Like i said before………..the current system for athletics forces boys and girls to play teamsports such as rugby and netball…..that structures is good and in place……especially rugby from youthlevel…….SASCOC,if you manage on in this manner,my forecast is that you are going to loose the boys/men on the road……….your road to where-ever!!!!
September 6th, 2010 at 9:39 am (#)
Hardus 83.17
Way to go Hardus! That’s a real Gold Medal chance.
OHHH SH&T……! Hardus is not in the team, despite qaulifying?!!!!!!
September 6th, 2010 at 10:19 am (#)
So sad that SA has overlooked some of their best middle distance athletes. It is disturbing to hear that South Africas athlete and I remind you that he is under the guidance of the same coach that delivered Caster to a world class level from 2.07 or so to sub 2min.
This young man has won everything on the track from 1500 – 5000 and 10000m in the last two years and he didn’t make the team to Africa. He is now going to do what he needs to do to get food on his table. He is going to choose his road races with the best prize-money to accumulate funds to survive or else he must go and work. I cannot see him coming back to run for team selection. He will rise to World Class status on his own strength and ASA and SASCOC will try and claim him when he is up.
Typical South African attitude. Perform and we will support you. So they want you to first win medals at international leevl before they can support you. It is too late then.
If this is how we treat our best athletes then what hope is there for the rest. I can’t believe ASA didn’t see this coming after the treatment of the juniors who met the qualifying criteria set but were left at home with ASA claiming that there are no females and no black athletes of quality. What bad timing for these clandestine decisions.
The sport was just recovering from a setback that saw uncertainty around the start of the season and then there were wholesale changes to the local season with ASA distributing 3 different selection requirements for the seniors. Then they went and introduced a window period and totally disregarded the potential for medals and they didn’t even send a junior team to Mozambique for the Southern region juniors and now I hear they’ve been very selective in the Zone 6 selections as well leaving out a South African Champion black athlete in the process.
They are destroying our sprot because they are do not understand the sport. Rugby teams take 3 years to prepare to win a World Cup, Soccer teams the same but in athletics you must be the World numer 1 to guarantee a spot or else forget it.
September 6th, 2010 at 4:03 pm (#)
Mr Sam.
Please give me answers to the following questions?
1. Who submitted the ASA team to You(SASCOC)
2. What team selection criteria was used by ASA.
3. Was this criteria communicated to the unions,coaches and athletes.
The reason I am asking this questions are based on a article in the newspaper stating that a ASA general meeting is scheduled in 12 days time.The previous committee was suspended ?
AS I understand it,Qualify criteria were set by ASA,and some athletes qualified on there own cost/expenditure.I see that Hardus Pienaar qualified this weekend.Is this qualification for London 2012 or for 2016 ?
Please answer this questions as I am completely confuse.
Thanks.
September 6th, 2010 at 5:43 pm (#)
Nobody is killing the sport as it is already dead. RIP RSA Athletics
September 6th, 2010 at 5:53 pm (#)
Can someone please wake up and smell the coffee!!!. The main reason for the limited team selections be it for junior or senior teams, is that there are INSUFFIECIENT FUNDS to send bigger teams. Nobody is prepared to come out and admit this. Hence all the excuses under the sun are used to defend so called selection criteria.
September 6th, 2010 at 9:44 pm (#)
Maybe the funds crisis will be relieved once the powers that be stops flying Dr Adams first class to Croatia. We could have send 11 more athletes to an event for the cost of that flight.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:00 pm (#)
I maintain that if there is not sufficient funds in the coffers, downsize in the interest of athletes.
Get rid of the CEO, he has been there longer than he was supposed to be. The organization is now operating according to his culture and not the other way around. A CEO must be there for a limited time, not a life time.
Secondly, the Board also earns a lot of money with the President of SASCOC getting about R17000 per month for serving in an elected position. The deputy a little less, and the rest including Ray Mali about R10000 just for being board members. They also get allowances for attending meetings, not sure how much.
Just on the boards salary alone….. More than R150000 per month x 12 (a year)….wow and we cannot send athletes to the competitions. These guys need to smell the coffie.
September 7th, 2010 at 2:41 pm (#)
I am no expert but it really seems like there are a lot of people talking from ignorance and with personal agendas. This CEO has only been in that position since early 2009 so what is this “for life” talks? The criteria for selection was set by the National Federations and so has the period for qualification.
Nobody is perfect but this thing of sending team after team to gain experience is absolute nonsense. One gains experience in provincial then national and then at meets on international level. Our athletes that are showing potential are identified by their Federations and they are then put onto the OPEX program where they are supported financially – but also on the condition that they perform and improve. No free rides and no gravy train. Give recognition where recognition is deserved!!
September 7th, 2010 at 8:55 pm (#)
willie, since you know too much, athletes qualified at their own expense and athletes whom you claim to be on the opex program has already been there and have the money… What about our own female middle distance athlete do they not deserve to be on that program? ie. Rene Kalmer and Mapaseka Makhanya to mention a few…
These athletes have been outstanding not only this year but they’ve in this sports for as long as i can remember but they don’t get recognition or what they really deserve.
These athletes deserve so much better, what about our male middle distance athletes? 1500m to 5000m.
Willie clearly you don’t know what you talking about if you feel that this is a personal attack… How personal it is to the athletes?
Im really sad to hear a coach talking like that….im sorry to all the athletes that have qualified and were not considered the best because they don’t have world titles
September 8th, 2010 at 2:04 pm (#)
I got no personal problem with Mr Sam.
I read that 29 names were submitted by ASA to SASCOC.
11 names were announced by SASCOC.Why the difference?Why is nobody responding to the Questions being asked ?
Why ? Mr Sam , Mr Raymond Mali,Mr Richard Stander,Mr Preller (selector)
September 9th, 2010 at 2:11 pm (#)
Willie you clearly are ignorant on athletics matters so don’t comment. Let us enlighten you on the selection criteria you speak of. Firstly the athletes we are talking about have all met the criteria set by the national federation. So the athletes we are talking about are quality athletes.
We won a large number of medals in 2006. Why the sudden scepticism about athletics? We brought the only medal back from Beijing. If we were taking passengers why is that we have managed to achieve this. Willie look at what downsizing your pool of athletes has done for South Africas status at African Champs level. Our federation decided that some of our best athletes were not good enough and as a rersult we lost to kenya who medalled in events that we failed to have representation in not because we didn’t have the athletes to send but because we wanted to send a small team to send a message
And now the same postmortem awaits us after the commonwealth where u and sascoc must account for your short-sightedness in leaving behind potential medallists.
This is the only place on earth where you hear that you increase your chances by dropping your numbers. I can justify calling you ignorant Willie by asking you to look at how many athletes in the top 10 in the commonwealth were left out and also check out how our Javelin thrower Hardus Pienaar proved that quality athletes are excluded from the team with his silver medal at the continental cup beating the no. 1 and 2 in the commonwealth. Maybe that will help you understand that you and gideon and this incompetent ASA are ignorant on athletics matters. I hope you are there to back them when we ask the legit questions later
September 9th, 2010 at 2:56 pm (#)
Oh and just to add South Africa is the only place where an
Olympic finalist like Juan van Deventer, a 48 second 400m hurdler like Cornel Fredrix, a 4x100m relay team that are African champions and bronze medalists at the continental cup and a 8m plus long jumper like Luvo Mayonga are regarded as athletes going for experience or passengers. Karin Mey left South Africa for Turkey where she ended up taking silver at the Beijing Olympics. The same can be said about Allister Cragg who left South Africa to Ireland and then went on to beat the great Bekele twice. These are athletes that we regard as being of no use to us on the international scene.
Hope ignorance is not going to be an excuse when you fail to get 12 in 2012!