Mabilo eyes CGA presidency
The development and support of athletes is a priority for CGA because, without athletes, there is no CGA.
On March 5, Karabo Mabilo raised her hand as a contestant in the race to become the next president of Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) following nominations from the clubs in the upcoming elections to be held at Germiston Stadium.
Mabilo is an astute leader with a solid governance and administration background. Should she emerge victoriously, it means she will be the second female president in the history of Central Gauteng.
A holistic transformation in athletics
Mabilo is a runner who is passionate about athletics. Currently, she sits in CGA’s exco as an additional board member, serves as head of the women’s committee in CGA and is a trustee board member in the Soweto Marathon Trust.
Her corporate and educational background puts her in good stead to provide sound leadership to take the province forward. Mabilo holds an LLB degree and a higher diploma in SA and international tax qualification and works as a specialist in fiduciary in the financial sector.
She has identified some key issues for her election campaign, which include sponsorship injection and retention. Her view is that the new board would need to create an enabling environment to attract corporate sponsorship.
It will be the duty of the new board to help identify companies that would have a keen interest in promoting the development of athletics through their brand.
The board must interest corporates in the CGA brand and ensure that the relationships with sponsors are maintained and nurtured.
Development and support and participation of female athletes
The development and support of athletes is a priority for CGA because, without athletes, there is no CGA.
Karabo indicates that it is important to ensure that the administration makes inroads with the constituent members and stresses that the development of all athletes is a priority; therefore, the mandate of CGA is to identify and develop young talent.
She envisages a different structure from March 5, a structure that would solidify the support and development for athletes by implementing a permanent athletes department that will focus primarily on athletes to ensure that there is continuous athlete wellness support, which also tackles financial and mental wellness.
Mabilo is passionate about programmes that will help support athletes throughout their careers and beyond. She also believes that CGA must explore a mutually beneficial arrangement where retired athletes can contribute towards the development of upcoming athletes by way of coaching and mentoring.
Her view is that the CGA board must ensure that strides are made to develop more female coaches and mentors. Mabilo would like to address the concerns around the decline of participation of young girl athletes in athletics.
The number of girls dropping out of athletics from the ages of 16 is double compared to that of boys and this needs to be addressed. Issues of safety and security for all females in athletics are top of her list of urgent matters.
“This cohort of athletes faces varying challenges, and we must provide stability to them. Through athletics, young girls can find solace and, therefore, we must impart important life skills to them.”
The women’s committee, where she serves, has embarked on an initiative to ensure easy access to sanitary towels and necessary hygiene products for young girls at all sporting events.
This initiative was primarily launched to ensure that young girl athletes do not stay away from participating in athletics or sports during their monthly menstrual cycle.
The board is accountable to the clubs, and this relationship needs to be constantly put through the eye of the needle. Clubs collaboration with the board is necessary. The new board must ensure that policies in place are reviewed and compliant.
