Shortage of medals does not mean that ASA had a bad year – James Moloi

By Charles Baloyi
20th December 2023

Athletics South Africa (ASA) president James Moloi insist the public’s criticism of the federation is unwarranted following a medal-less performance at the World Senior Championships in Budapest earlier this year.

Moloi argues deeming ASA’s 2023 season a failure solely based on the lack of medals at the World Champs is unjust, despite the challenges, there are numerous positive aspects to highlight from the World Championships.

Moloi rates ASA’s performance for the 2023 season 7 out of 10, emphasizing several accomplishments in line with their athletic objectives. Reflecting on the year, Moloi believes that they successfully checked off most of the items on their athletics agenda.

“Moloi stated “Certainly, we must intensify our efforts in the coming year. Overall, it wasn’t a disappointing year. Failing to secure a medal at the World Senior Championships isn’t a catastrophe. It’s unfair for everyone to use that as a pretext to criticize us,” said Moloi.

“We achieved a bronze medal for a collective effort at the World Half-Marathon in Riga, Latvia. Additionally, we successfully hosted a coaching symposium in Tshwane with a reputable foreign coach and organized a relay camp in Potchefstroom. Our primary focus is preparing the team for the upcoming Olympics in Paris next year. While Budapest didn’t yield victory, it’s crucial not to isolate that as the sole determinant of our performance,” elaborated Moloi.

Moloi explained that ASA implemented a two-week break to provide a respite for everyone involved in the sport and allow them to spend quality time with their families. Nevertheless, he emphasized the organization’s commitment to a rigorous work schedule in the upcoming year, highlighting the Grand Prix races across various cities and the Nationals Championships. These efforts are geared towards adequately preparing the team for the impending Olympic Games.

Moloi announced, “In January, we’re convening an Athletics Indaba to listen to the athletes' thoughts and address any concerns. Our goal is to correct any mistakes that may have occurred. The focus in January and February will be solely on preparations, gearing up for the commencement of the season in March."