SASCOC boss clarifies OPEX program in response to a complaint from a leading athlete

Mokoka expressed his dissatisfaction with his exclusion from the Operation Excellence Program (OPEX), despite being the top marathon runner in SA.  

OPEX, an initiative spearheaded by SASCOC, is designed to support athletes with the potential to qualify for and excel at major international sporting events. For the years 2023 and 2024, SASCOC has enlisted 74 athletes into the program.

"In terms of the OPEX athletes again, the federation is responsible for giving SASCOC the athletes that they deem are eligible for OPEX selection. So, not everybody can get on to OPEX. So, the federation has to guide SASCOC and also there are criteria from the SASCOC side that the athlete has to meet in order to be selected on to the programme,” Alexander said.

“So, perhaps if an athlete is doing well now but the results of previous [seasons] weren't that good, maybe that has an impact but again the federation will have to speak to that. From my perspective, I think it's a conversation that should be had.

“The athletes, with the federation and again SASCOC does have one-on-one meetings with the federation."

Alexander acknowledged the emotional distress caused by the athletes seeking funding due to their exclusion from OPEX. She maintained SASCOC was powerless to alter Mokoka’s circumstances.

"Yes, it pains us all and the athletes you are referring to but almost all the athletes out there who are trying to get to the level, have to do it on their own because there isn't always sufficient funding and different federations get different kinds of funding,” Alexander added.

“So, that is a challenge for all our athletes and I do know that we have discussed this because there's also the comment that only the individual athletes get funded when in fact there are teams.

“It's just that the amount of funding we receive isn't enough to go around. So, we are taking the best of the best and hopefully, as our support grows from the broader South African community in terms of funding, we can include the rest."