This morning Abram Mogashoa finished second at the Seshoga Marathon 10k event. He should have won R1,500 but on crossing the finish line he was told by Limpopo Athletics referee Leon Bannau that he was disqualified for wearing an “illegal cap”. When he protested, Bannau told him that you can only run in an “official club cap”.
This is complete nonsense. Leon is making up his own rules. Ironically Mogashoa runs for the Run Alex club in Joburg and was wearing the official cap from the Run Alex 10k. Mogashoa has never had an issue running with this cap in any other province.
Mogashoa told me that Bannau was a busy boy handing out DQs left, right and centre as most participants were not wearing “official club caps”. Many clubs do not even have an official club cap. Running in the Limpopo sun and heat without a cap is medically unsafe. Leon would rather you comply with his made-up rules than avoid heatstroke and the long-term risk of skin cancer.
On the R1,500 that Bannau has stolen from him, Mogashoa said, “It’s a lot of money, I was so disappointed when he told the reason for my disqualification. I have never heard of this rule.” As for the disappointment and what he would spend the money on, Mogashoa told me, “Eish my man, I’m always looking for my family so when I get prize money I am always looking out for them.” Sadly, it looks like there will be no special treats for Mogashoa’s family this weekend.
Leon Bannau is a notorious piece of nonsense in Limpopo. I recently spoke to another event that told me how they hate having him at their event as he is heavy handed and disqualifies people for arbitrary reasons. One example provided was when he disqualified two charity runners dressed in the CHOC cow outfit because it was “not official club kit”.
The same event told me that Bannau is bad for the event as runners do not realise he is representing Limpopo Athletics and not the race itself. They feel that Bannau chases runners away from the sport of running and sponsors away from their event. In addition they pointed out that they have to fund his accommodation and all his food.
UPDATE: The running community is incredible. Within 10 minutes of publishing this article 2 people asked to his bank details so that they can cover his prize money. Subsequently several other people have offered to contribute as well. Abram will get him money. Hopefully Lean Bannau will get his just desserts.
[I have sent Bannau a set of questions and will update the article should he provide a response. I expect he will take his time as he is going to struggle to find that any evidence exists for the rule he is implementing.]
READ MORE: Khonkhobe gets his prize money after illegal DQ (still waiting for promised apology from AGW)
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This is madness. Please remove this fool. Its not about the athletes but about this fool.
Stuart.
Get Mark on his case.We don’t need people like this contaminating the sport.He must take himself and his ego elsewhere !!
That must be reported to his Provincial Athletic Body and ASA.
I’ve been a Referee for more than 35 years and have not heard that rule. Close to that rule is the adverting rule but it does not apply in this case.