Zimbabwe's Florida State University freshman Ngonidzashe Makusha has broken his national Long Jump record after soaring to a huge 8.30 metres leap - the fourth-best jump in the world this year, the best in FSU history and the best Drake Stadium has ever seen - to earn FSU the first individual crown of the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa - USA.

Makusha, who is also the NCAA indoor champion, has now surpassed the Olympics A Standard qualifying mark of 8,20m and thus receives an automatic bid to represent Zimbabwe in Beijing 2008.

He would be joined on the train to Beijing by other Zimbabwean athletes who have either set an A or B Standard qualifying time or mark for the games in the Team Zimbabwe camp such as US based sprinters Brian Dzinga and Malvin Bonde.

'History books'

Makusa's selection for the Long Jump puts him in the history books right on the heels of triple jumper Ndabezinhle Mdlongwa who was the first athlete to represent Zimbabwe in the field events at the Olympic Games.

Mdlongwa, a former Africa triple jump record holder, became the first athlete to represent Zimbabwe in the field events at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain,

An elated Makusa said: "This is really important for me because I broke my country's record today. It makes me feel really good going to the Olympics.

"I've been working really hard with coach (Dennis) Nobles, working really hard on my technique."

"I was feeling really comfortable as I was coming towards the board and everything was right to the point. I think I'm starting to put some things together." he added.

The decision is a culmination of a process in which Mr Pistorius and the IAAF have co-operated together to resolve the issue of whether the "Cheetah" prostheses Mr Pistorius wears give him an advantage in competition.

While the IAAF has been keen to give Mr Pistorius every opportunity to participate in its events, it had to deal with some concerns that he may be gaining an unfair advantage.

As a result, in November 2007, Mr Pistorius and the IAAF voluntarily engaged in a process of testing under the auspices of Professor Brüggemann at the Sportshochschule in Cologne. Professor Brüggemann provided his report in December 2007.

Following this report, the IAAF Council took the decision that, because Professor Brüggemann had found that the prostheses gave Mr Pistorius an advantage, he was not eligible to compete.

Mr Pistorius referred the matter to CAS where further expert advice was obtained and reviewed. The hearing before CAS was conducted in an open, constructive and co-operative fashion with all parties keen to establish the truth.

The CAS Panel has today delivered its decision. It has decided that, at the moment, not enough is known scientifically to be able to prove that Mr Pistorius obtains an advantage from the use of the prostheses. Consequently, it has cleared him to run.
 
IAAF President Lamine Diack has made the following comment: "The IAAF accepts the decision of CAS and Oscar will be welcomed wherever he competes this summer. He is an inspirational man and we look forward to admiring his achievements in the future.”

The event, which also forms part of ASA’s plans for the Beijing Olympic Games, takes place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 30 April to 4 May 2008.

Ekkart Arbeit, ASA’s head coach is upbeat about the team’s preparations for Beijing.

He said about the African Championships: "The competition is going to be tough, but we expect more athletes to qualify for Beijing.

"For example Tsholofelo Thipe (400m) could be pulled by her counterparts to qualify IAAF A standard.

"Geraldine Pillay has also recovered completely from her injury sustained at the Yellow Pages Series in Germiston earlier this year. She is training at full pace."

South Africa is the powerhouse of track and field, with the likes of Kenya and Ethiopia taking the lead in the middle and long distance events.

Nigeria, Ghana and Botswana will provide good competition for the South Africa sprinters, while Egypt will deliver challenges in the throws.

South Africa will be going into the continent competition defending their title. SA finished top of the medal table at the last champs in Mauritius in 2006.

The final team to Ethiopia is:

Men

Hannes Dreyer (AGN) 100m, 200m, 4 x100m; Kagisho Kumbane (AFS) 100m, 200m 4 x100m; Thuso Mpaung (AFS) 200m; Sergio Mullins (KZNA) 200m, 4 x 100m; Corne du Plessis (CGA) 200m, 4 x 100m; Ofentse Mogawane (AGN), 400m; Pieter Smith (AGN) 400m; Sibusiso Sishi (KZNA) 400m; Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (CGA) 800m; Samson Ngoepe (CGA) 800m; Juan van Deventer (CGA) 1500m; Johan Cronje (AFS) 1500m; Boy Soke (AFS) 5000m; Siyabonga Nkonde (KZNA) 10000m; Janko Kotze (CGA) 110m hurdles; Hennie Kotze (AGN) 110m hurdles; Ter de Villiers (AGN) 400m hurdles; Alwyn Myburgh(AVT) 400m Hurdles; Okkert Cilliers (ACNW) 400m Hurdles; Ruben Ramolefi (CGA) 3000m Steeplechase; Tshamano Setone (CGA) 3000m Steeplechase; Thami Hlatshwayo (AGN) 20km Walk; Marc Mundell (AGN) 20km Walk; Werner Appel (ACNW) 20km Walk; Hubert de Beer (AGN) High Jump; Ramsay Carelse (WPA) High Jump; Khotso Mokoena (CGA) Long Jump; Keenan Watson (BOLA) long jump; Yaw Fosu-Amoah (AGN) long jump; Tumelo Thagane (ANCW) Triple Jump; Ross Jordaan (BOLA) shot put; Janus Robberts (BOLA) Shot Put; Roelie Potgieter (AGN) shot put; Hannes Hopley (CGA) discus; Chris Harmse (AFS) Hammer; Robert Oosthuizen (BOLA) javelin; Willem Coertzen (ACNW) Decathlon

Women

Geraldine Pillay (WPA) 100m; Isabel le Roux (AGN) 100m/200m; Estie Wittstock (AGN) 100m/200m; Tsholofelo Thipe (ANWN) 400m; Tihanna Vorster (AGN) 400m; Lebo Phalula (CGA) 800m; Lebogang Phalula (CGA) 800m/1500m; Rene Kalmer (CGA) 1500m; Zintle Xiniwe (WPA) 5000m; Christine Ras (CGA) 100m Hurdles; Janet Wienand (ACNW) 400m Hurdles; Tebogo Masehla (CGA) 3000m Steeplechase; Ruzanne Harris (BOLA) 20km Walk; Michelle Hopkins (CGA) 20km Walk; Nomsa Buthelezi (CGA) 20km Walk; Anika Smit (ACNW) High Jump; Marizca Gertenbach (AFS) High Jump; Marcoleen Pretorius (AVT) High Jump; Eva Thornton(EPA) Pole Vault; Deone Joubert (CGA) Pole Vault; Lindi Roux (BOLA) Pole Vault; Janice Josephs (BOLA) Long Jump; Simone du Toit (ACNW) Shot Put; Veronica Abrahamse (KZNA) Shot Put; Elizna Naude (AGN) Discus; Marizette Badenhorst (AFS) Hammer; Karin le Roux (BOLA) Hammer throw; Justine Robbeson (ACNW) Javelin; Sunette Viljoen (ACNW) Javelin

Team Managers:

Kakata Maponyane-Head of Delegation; Wilfred Daniels-Team Manager. Team Coaches: Ekkart Arbeit (Head coach); Magda Botha (Sprints); Angus Pohl (Jumps); Terseus Liebenberg (Throws); JP Van Der Merwe (Middle & Long Distance). Physiotherapists: Michael Mabasa; Tumelo Komane and Team Doctor: Dr. Maaki Ramagole

Mr. Chuene was re-elected unopposed for a third term as President of ASA. Mr. Kakata Attlee Maponyane, the President of Limpopo Athletics, has been appointed vice-president, also unopposed.

Maponyane, the previous Track and Field chairman from Limpopo, ran unopposed after KZN's Simon Dlamini withdrew his nomination. Dlamini however retains his role on the board as an additional member.

The Board has been reconstituted as follows:

Mr. Leonard Chuene (President)
Mr. Kakata Maponyane (Vice President)
Ms. Snowy Matthews (Cross Country Chairperson)
Mr. Thomas Manoko (Road Running Chairperson)
Mr. Chris Britz (Track & Field Chairperson)

Additional members:

Ms. Larraine Lane
Ms. Lilly Motete
Mr. Godfrey Hammers
Dr. Simon Dlamini
Mr. Hendrick Mokganyetsi (Athletes Commission Chairperson)
Mr. Roger Adams (SASSU Athletics Chairperson)

The QGM has also resolved to appoint Mr. Molatelo Malehopo, with immediate effect as acting General Manager of ASA. He's taking over from Ms Linda Ferns, who is leaving the organisation to pursue other interests.

Below are the other resolutions taken by the council at the end of the two-day Annual General Meeting:

1. The Presidents of all provinces have resolved to sign a petition in support of ASA President Leonard Chuene, following an onslaught on his person and by extension the integrity of ASA and its executive.

The petition will be handed over to SASCOC for isolating the ASA President. SASCOC will also be petitioned to stop tarnishing the image and integrity of the ASA's constituency by insulting the organisation in the press.

2. The QGM concluded that ASA should continue with its rigorous transformation and developmental agenda without fear or favour.

3. The council reaffirms its mandate to ASA to vigorously pursue the transformation of SASCOC and will be requesting the Minister of Sports and Recreation to intervene in this regard.

4. Council rejected the charges levelled by SASCOC against its President and challenged SASCOC to charge the entire council and ASA as an organisation on all the charges levelled against its President.

5. The QGM resolved that if the matter between SASCOC and ASA continues to persist, then an AGM should be called, attended by the Minister of Sports and Recreation to resolve the matter once and for all.

6. The QGM concluded that ASA should reconsider its affiliation to SASCOC after the Beijing Olympics in September if outstanding matters between SASCOC and ASA are not resolved by then.

7. ASA is still willing to have open discussions with the leadership of SASCOC to find common ground without the mudslinging and battles fought in the press.

8. Provincial Presidents have been requested to communicate these resolutions to their constituencies and insist on coherent leadership.

9. SASA and SASSU will be represented at all structures within ASA. As part of their implementation process, they are expected to consolidate their fixture list to integrate with ASA's provincial fixture list. This should be implemented with immediate effect.

10. The QGM took strong exception to being called names by the Sunday Times newspaper. Council has resolved that a strong effort should be made to correct perceptions created by the Sunday Times that they are lackeys, when in effect they're driving change in SA athletics.