Onnalenna Khonkhobe was illegally disqualified at the KHS Founders Half Marathon in Kimberly on 16 May and lost out on the first prize of R15,500. Khonkhobe had forgotten his ASA license number at home and therefore bought and ran in a temporary license. This is perfectly legal – in fact this is why temporary licenses were originally created and is explicitly allowed in the ASA rulebook.
After refusing to entertain Khonkhobe or his coach’s protest directly after the race, the matter was escalated to Nedbank Running Club team manager Nick Bester. Bester sent an email to the Athletics Griqualand West (AGW) executive together with a full breakdown of the rules showing that Khonkhobe had been incorrectly disqualified.
AGW acknowledged that the rules had been incorrectly applied and that their senior race referee, Tahtaetsile Moremedi, does not know the rules but refused to rectify the situation and reinstate Khonkhobe as the race winner.
Bester then called on attorney Mark Leathers who, on top of his duties as Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Chair, also runs for Nedbank and provides legal support to the team. On the threat of legal action, AGW suddenly jumped into action. It is a sad indictment of our athletics administrators that the only way you can get a response from them is via a lawyer.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Khonkhobe Incorrectly Disqualified by AGW Referee: AGW refuse to reinstate him as race winner despite admitting mistake
It has taken over two months but Khonkhobe was finally paid his rightful winnings this week. One more victory for the rule of law over the selective, inconsistent and incorrect application of rules by athletics federations and technical officials.
AGW promised to send a formal apology to Khonkhobe but none has been received at the time of writing. I have not been able to get a response from AGW office manager Callie Hendricks and it appears that AGW president, Thato Setlholo, has blocked me because my WhatsApp messages have gone undelivered.
AGW technical officials incorrectly disqualifying athletes for running in club kit has been an issue that has been going on for years despite there being no rule or stipulation to support this punishment. Clubs and athletes have repeatedly questioned this issue and have been ignored.
All protests have fallen on deaf ears. One of my currently unanswered question is whether recreational athletes who have been incorrectly disqualified will have their results reinstated. One would also like to know what the repercussions are for technical officials when they ‘hallucinate’ and apply rules that don’t exist.
This saga is another example that anyone can make up their own rules but when there is a battle between a rule and a law, the law wins. Always. Much like in the ASA / KZNA vs Comrades ordeal, without a good lawyer you will just get continually manipulated, bullied and railroaded by the politicians who feast off the sweat of hardworking athletes and events organisers.
READ MORE: Why the Comrades Marathon will go ahead (with or without ASA)
It is just sad that one has to go to these lengths to get athletics federations to do their jobs and that access to a hot shot lawyer is sadly not available to most runners. At least justice has been served for Onnalenna Khonkhobe but many recreational runners suffer in silence after being on the receiving end of incorrect and bizarre rule interpretations.
Moremedi should be held acountable for this blunder and pay the amount out of pocket. But this what happens if Kaders with limited knowlege are apointed.
It is highly questionable that that the head of AGW openly admits that their chief referee doesn’t know the rules (really?) and this particular (perculiar) habit of wrongfully disqualifying legitimate runners has persisted for some years, with no one checking the rule book. Cadre deployment?
Aaaah Khonkhobe deserves an apology
Based on this article, it appears there are grounded problems at AGW:
1. Incompetence and Misapplication of Rules
2. Refusal to correct errors when opportunities are given
3. Poor Communication and Disregard for Athletes
4. Systemic Dysfunction
5. Weak Leadership, No Accountability, Administration Failures and Financial Mismanagement allegations
If you need help with Administration and Governance Consultations or training at AGW, let us know, we can help you so that Sport is fun and not seen as a hindrance or limitation to Athletes
Pathetic and Incompetence. U ask urself how was he appointed. The cancer in satafrika,its keep eating away our last hope of athletics. What a shame.
Does one actually get disqualified for running in Club Kit? What is the reason given for this being against the rules?
They wouldn’t reply to my questions but apparently tell people it’s against the rules to run in a temporary license with club kits. When people complain that just shut them down and tell them against the rules but have never been able to show anyone the rule.