World Athletics to send delegation to South Africa over ASA crisis

World Athletics will send a high-level delegation to South Africa next week as it examines the governance crisis at Athletics South Africa (ASA). The group will include representatives of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and will hold talks with ASA, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the Sports Ministry and other stakeholders.

The visit is intended to establish the facts behind the problems affecting ASA and identify a route towards greater stability. World Athletics chief executive Ron Ridgeon informed ASA chief executive Terence Magogodela of the planned mission, which follows discussions involving World Athletics, the CAA and ASA.

The delegation is expected to meet the ASA board, SASCOC and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. The international governing body has also told ASA to avoid major decisions while the wider governance situation is being assessed.

ASA president James Moloi has been suspended since October 2025, with his deputy, John Mathane, serving as acting president. The investigation into the federation’s governance will run separately from the disciplinary case involving Moloi.

World Athletics has indicated that the disciplinary process may continue, provided it follows the recommendations in the report by the president of the Southern African Confederation of Athletics and meets standards of fairness and independence. The CAA is expected to complete its own fact-finding work and submit its findings to World Athletics.

The delegation’s discussions could also cover South Africa’s plans to host a major World Athletics event next year. McKenzie has said he intends to pursue the event even without approval from ASA, adding another issue to the talks as the governing body seeks a solution to the federation’s deepening dispute.