Spotlight to fall on local athletics

WINDHOEK – An International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) official is expected in the country on October 10 to investigate the ‘unconstitutional take-over’ of athletics affairs by the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC), says AN President Alpha Kangueehi.

Kangueehi told Nampa on Tuesday that the IAAF Africa Area Group Representative, Leonard Chuene, has requested an urgent meeting with athletics administrators to resolve their disagreements. According to Kan­gueehi, he is still in charge of athletics in Namibia and Chuene, who is also the President of Athletics South Africa, is satisfied with the status quo in Namibia.It is expected that Chuene, who will be accompanied by another IAAF representative, will have talks with the AN Council and the NSC.Kangueehi said the no-confidence motion in the AN executive, which was adopted during a Special Congress held in Tsumeb on August 26, was unconstitutional as it was instituted by the NSC’s Commissioner for Athletics, Alna Similo, and the NSC chief administrator, Rusten Mogane.According to Kan­gueehi, the only genuine vote of no confidence came from the Khomas, Caprivi and Erongo delegations.However, when participants were asked to vote, it was rejected by the NSC, he said.Kangueehi is adamant that he is constitutionally still the president of AN and that the executive remains in control.”Athletics Namibia is running the affairs of athletics and no one else,” he said.In response, Mogane said the Sport Commission did not propose the motion of no confidence, as they were only there as observers.He said the AN executive under the leadership of Kangueehi was no longer in charge of athletics following the no-confidence vote by AN’s affiliates, and that the Commission had been asked to run the affairs of athletics until December.Mogane said the Commission was keen on meeting the IAAF representatives, adding that they would also have to meet representatives of the Ministry of Sport.NampaAccording to Kan­gueehi, he is still in charge of athletics in Namibia and Chuene, who is also the President of Athletics South Africa, is satisfied with the status quo in Namibia.It is expected that Chuene, who will be accompanied by another IAAF representative, will have talks with the AN Council and the NSC.Kangueehi said the no-confidence motion in the AN executive, which was adopted during a Special Congress held in Tsumeb on August 26, was unconstitutional as it was instituted by the NSC’s Commissioner for Athletics, Alna Similo, and the NSC chief administrator, Rusten Mogane.According to Kan­gueehi, the only genuine vote of no confidence came from the Khomas, Caprivi and Erongo delegations.However, when participants were asked to vote, it was rejected by the NSC, he said.Kangueehi is adamant that he is constitutionally still the president of AN and that the executive remains in control.”Athletics Namibia is running the affairs of athletics and no one else,” he said.In response, Mogane said the Sport Commission did not propose the motion of no confidence, as they were only there as observers.He said the AN executive under the leadership of Kangueehi was no longer in charge of athletics following the no-confidence vote by AN’s affiliates, and that the Commission had been asked to run the affairs of athletics until December.Mogane said the Commission was keen on meeting the IAAF representatives, adding that they would also have to meet representatives of the Ministry of Sport.Nampa