This follows speculation that Bantsi and former Athletics South Africa president, Aleck Skhosana have been kicked out of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region 5 board.
Bantsi was elected as the regional athletics leader for the second time in a row in 2018, with his term in office due to run until next year. Bantsi rose to the position after beating Elias Ng’andu Mpondela of Zambia.
Bantsi told Mmegi Sport that the BAA was part of a group that has been spreading reports that they have been sacked. “They told people that I have been removed from the board.
I am still the CAA vice president and Region 5 chairperson. Clubs have been calling me just like you seeking an explanation. This whole thing started when I failed to attend a CAA meeting because I was not well,” he said.
Bantsi said the secretary-general (Skhosana) wrote letters to all member associations inviting them for meetings and requesting them to show interest in hosting athletics events. He said ahead of the Africa Senior Championships that was hosted by Mauritius, member associations, BAA included formed a WhatsApp group that was meant to destabilise the event.
He said the situation got worse during the World Championships in Oregon, US. The associations held a meeting which was meant to eject the committee from office. "The challenge we are facing is that associations thought they could overpower us and push their own agenda. We held a meeting earlier than they anticipated. Our term of office ends in 2023,” he said.
Bantsi said the least BAA can do is to respect his position if they cannot respect him as an individual. He said the association has never invited him to any meeting as procedure dictates.
Bantsi said as an experienced athletics administrator, he could have assisted BAA indicating that performance on the track has even dropped. He said despite that, his board continues working, inviting countries to show interest in hosting events next season. BAA vice president-administration, Oabona Theetso dismissed claims Bantsi made.
“Where is it written that we should invite him to our meetings? Which section of the constitution is he talking about? When someone makes allegations they must have proof,” Theetso said. He said it was not true that BAA spread rumours about Bantsi and Skhosana being removed from the board. He said Bantsi could express his opinion on how he feels. Theetso insisted BAA has a healthy working relationship with Bantsi.
