ASA chief James Moloi cherishes his position on the World Athletics Committee

By Charles Baloyi
6th August 2024

Athletics South Africa (ASA) president James Moloi attended his first meeting of the International Athletics Foundation Council at Stade de France on Monday, following his appointment earlier this year.

Moloi will serve on the council until 2027.

The council is chaired by World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and includes members such as Nawf Bin Mohammed Al Saud (Saudi Arabia), Nawal El Moutawakel (Morocco), Bernard Fautrier (Monaco), Roberto Gesta de Melo (Brazil), Sirje Lippe (Estonia), Arne Ljungqvist (Sweden), Yvonne Mullins (Australia), Jose Maria Odriozola (Spain), and Donna Raynor (Bermuda). Moloi has joined the ranks of esteemed administrators in global athletics.

“I am thrilled about this opportunity to learn from other leaders and bring that knowledge back to strengthen our national federation. Our mission is to serve world athletics, and when called upon, we must respond. With the Olympics taking place here in Paris, our leaders saw it ideal chance to have an in-person meeting, given our global dispersion. I am eager for the upcoming three-year period, where I will also contribute to the growth of world athletics,” Moloi told SABC Sport in Paris.

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“Everyone understands their responsibilities within the committee, and together, we can make a significant impact as a team. Our purpose here is to support the sport,” he added.

Moloi, wearing his world athletics cap seized the opportunity as an ASA leader to urge the public to keep supporting Team South Africa at Stade de France during the athletics competitions, where they have yet to win a medal after five days.

Akani Simbine narrowly missed a podium finish, coming in fourth in the men’s 100m final on Sunday, while Prudence Sekgodiso secured eighth place in the women’s 800m final on Monday.

“We still have five more days and other athletes competing, including the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events. We still have a chance to win one or two medals. Let’s continue to support the team until the end, congratulations to Akani and Prudence for reaching the final and running their personal best times,” said Moloi.