IN HOT WATER: ASA president Leonard Chuene with Caster Semenya at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cope and ID support dismissalTHE GOVERNMENT and politicians have called for the sacking of Athletic South Africa boss Leonard Chuene.
“He must go now,” Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Gert Oosthuizen said.
Oosthuizen yesterday urged ASA to fire Chuene after revelations that 800m star Caster Semenya was tested for gender verification. Chuene has admitted lying when he denied that Semenya was tested.
The chorus to fire Chuene has the support of two political parties in the Congress of the People and Independent Democrats.
“We have on two occasions requested a report from Chuene on what happened before, during and after Berlin and we still have not received it,” Oosthuizen said.
Chuene on Saturday defended his decision, saying he could not go public about the tests because of patient-doctor confidentiality.
“After observing his acknowledgement, we are not surprised by his lack of response to our request. Chuene has not only lied to us as the Ministry but to the whole country and this is not acceptable.
“Last week, the ASA council adopted resolutions, some of which pertained to the World Championships in Berlin, based on a lie,” said Oosthuizen, who is known not to be a great fan of Chuene.
FROM OUR CARTOONIST, YALO:
READ MORE...
The problem between Chuene and Oosthuizen started last year after a confidential letter sent to the Ministry of Sport by the ASA was leaked to the media.
This has resulted in Chuene refusing to send confidential documents to the ministry, preferring to personally deliver them to the minister, Makhenkesi Stofile.
Cope called on Stofile to probe the matter and dismiss Chuene after a probe into the matter.
ID spokesperson for sport Joe Mcgluwa said Chuene “has treated Semenya in a chauvinistic manner and objectified her in front of the whole sporting world”.
“Since Chuene has apologised, now that the truth has come out through the media anyway, and he still won’t resign, he should be fired,” Mcgluwa said.
|