CSA and its Politics.....

[Sani]

Shocking! With a capital F

Agree 100%

[Wyatt Earp]

 

 

if you feel so bad about wasting CSA money you pay for the trip then!

 

 

That is what I like to call "facepalm logic"

Why did they spend the money in the first place ,knowing that they were only doing it as a formality for pulling an unscrupulous move ?

[Jerry Lewis]

That is what I like to call "facepalm logic"

Why did they spend the money in the first place ,knowing that they were only doing it as a formality for pulling an unscrupulous move ?

Hence my exposure of them........

[Glenmx]

While most of us seem to feel that CSA are a waste of time - and its the same with the governing bodies of other sports such as running, triathlon, canoeing, etc - and that we should just ignore these bodies and leave them out of event organisation, the problem as I understand it is that in 2010 the government gazetted the "Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act". And this Act basically makes it impossible and illegal for any organisation or individual to stage any event other than under the auspices of their governing body.

There was a local, fun triathlon event running for about 10 years in our town. All ages form 8 to 80 participated in a well organised event. Then Triathlon SA got wind of it and, citing the Act, told the organisers to either get TSA on board, which of course means pay them, or shut it down. No pretense of trying to promote and grow the sport, simply a blunt attempt to collect more cash. Front-pullers!

 

I'm not too familiar with the inner working of CSA but from what I have seen and read though, it sounds like CSA are very similiar to MSA (motorsportSA).

If you do some research on the matter you can get the full story but just to summarise for those to busy.

 

MSA took WOMZA (World of Motorsport ZA) to court because they alleged that WOMZA where not intitled to run any motorsport events unless the events were sanctioned by MSA. MSA alleged that they were given the right by the FIM (International Motor Federation).

The south african courts are apparently not dictated to by the FIM.

Cut a long saga short MSA lost the court case and all the associated legal fees.

 

I get a serious sense of "de ja vu" every time I read comments like Gerald's. It will be interesting to see if the same thing happens in cycling.

[DJR]

The international sports regulators (Olympic and otherwise) want to deal with one National body for each sport from each country. In SA, this is more sensitive than usual because of our devided past and our more recent unification. In SA, we also have political interference at the National level in something that is essentially not government business.

 

In turn, the National SA sports bodies want to deal with one Provincial body for each sport from each province.

 

They don't want anyone independent to be involved in the sport. It dilutes their power and reduce their income and control of the sport all the way up the ladder from the local club to Olympic/international level.

 

If each level of "sports control' was purely aimed at furthering the sport and aiding the athletes practcing that sport, this would work very well. Sadly, this is often not the case, be it cycling, athletics, or whatever. Too often the higher levels dictate to the lower levels without being in touch with the reality of the sport at its lower levels. International administrators dictate what the amateur weekend warrior may or may not do, often restricting the sport in stead of advancing it. If this was a bottom up hierarchy, it might have worked, but it isn't. It is a heavily top down approach, and it doesn't work for the largest part of sportsmen and women, the everyday amateurs.

 

I see the only solution as a splitting of sport into professional and amateur divisions, with its own funding and control, looking after its own constituencies. The difference is simply too huge to bridge.

 

What do you think?

[Jerry Lewis]

You have eloquently highlighted all the issues that exist in sport in SA,The problem in cycling is that the sport is run by men that really don't have the interest of the Cyclist at heart.I could go on and tell you of the conflicts of interests that occur in Cycling which is also contrary to their own constitution but they always seem to find the right loophole.For example I sat with a very influential event organiser and he said he has got to one particular person on the CSA Board as that person ensures his events take place.

I'm not so sure that dividing the sport into Pros and Amateurs will help............Just my opinion.....

[Danger Dassie]

You have eloquently highlighted all the issues that exist in sport in SA,The problem in cycling is that the sport is run by men that really don't have the interest of the Cyclist at heart.I could go on and tell you of the conflicts of interests that occur in Cycling which is also contrary to their own constitution but they always seem to find the right loophole.For example I sat with a very influential event organiser and he said he has got to one particular person on the CSA Board as that person ensures his events take place.

I'm not so sure that dividing the sport into Pros and Amateurs will help............Just my opinion.....

 

I'd echo that opinion, we had it before and things were (arguably) worse.

['Dale]

Thanx for sharing what must've been a tough journey and disappointing turn of events.

 

Hope you continue to stay involved somehow.

 

 

[DJR]

.............................I'm not so sure that dividing the sport into Pros and Amateurs will help............

................... we had it before and things were (arguably) .

 

Then lets talk about possible solutions.

[ccc2]

Then lets talk about possible solutions.

too much talk, lets do it.

i want to challenge 7734gerald to organise a youth event(s) in the Cape. i will help.

[Delgado]

Its going to need a govt enquiry into CSA......what I saw and learnt about the workings of CSA this past week end is really mind boggling......

.....Government enquiry? They probably learnt from government in the 1st place!!

[Jerry Lewis]

too much talk, lets do it.

i want to challenge 7734gerald to organise a youth event(s) in the Cape. i will help.

Anytime Pal......feel free to contact me on geraldfrancis86@gmail.com........been there done that pal....

[ccc2]

Anytime Pal......feel free to contact me on geraldfrancis86@gmail.com........been there done that pal....

do it & then i will contact u.

Edited September 8, 2013 by ccc2

[Brogue]

I see the only solution as a splitting of sport into professional and amateur divisions, with its own funding and control, looking after its own constituencies. The difference is simply too huge to bridge.

 

What do you think?

 

The Pro division, probably run by CSA as we know it today, will fold within 6 months. The Amateur division, probably run by PPA on an inclusive national scale, will continue to flourish. CSA and guavamunt will never agree to a division split, it's not in their respective interests to cut their face off to spite their nose (sic).

 

For my money I stay away from all things CSA and SUPPORT PPA ALL THE WAY.

[MTBer01]

I think that CSA and all those who sponsor their tjommies to be on a team , are doing a great job.

I would like to compliment them on their commitment, ability and hard work to find the cream of the top cyclists in our country and giving them exposure abroad.

Furthermore I applaud their incredible ability to allocate funds properly and put all funding to extremely good use.

 

ROFLOL!!