The South African National and International athletes who are recognised affiliates of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee members, elected new members of the SASCOC Athletes Commission for the next four-year cycle, (2021-2024) through virtual elections that were held on 10 and 11 March.
The six athletes who have been elected to the Athletes Commission are: Kgotso Mokoena (pictured, Athletics South Africa), Bridgitte Hartley (Canoeing South Africa), Ernst van Dyk (Cycling South Africa), Sizwe Ndlovu (Rowing South Africa), Louzanne Coetzee (SA Sports Association for the Physically Disabled) and Jeff Coetzee (Tennis South Africa).
Conferring to Clause 8.7 of the SASCOC’s Constitution, the Athletes Commission shall comprise of ten persons. The other four members will be co-opted to include non- Olympic and non- Paralympic sport as well as to address any gender imbalance.
In addition, the newly elected members will also elect their Chairperson of the Commission from amongst themselves.
SASCOC President, Mr Barry Hendricks commented, ‘Congratulations to the outgoing Athletes Commission on a successful election process. To the newly elected members, as a Board we look forward to working with you as you empower athlete representation and promote athlete involvement in decision-making processes.
‘We wish you well as you map a strategy to create an effective athlete voice that represents the needs of all South African athletes,” he added.
The main role of the Athletes Commission is being the voice of all current, future and retired national and international athletes within the South African Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Movement, adhering to the strategic direction of SASCOC, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and support athlete development both on and off the field of play.