{
  "id": 3969585,
  "title": "KZNA and ASA to meet with Comrades organisers: ‘We are seeking a win-win situation’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/kzna-and-asa-to-meet-with-comrades-organisers-we-are-seeking-a-win",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T12:45:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/kzna-asa-meet-comrades-marathon-association/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Athletics South Africa (ASA) and provincial body KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) are set to meet with representatives from the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) in an effort to mend fractured ties with the country's premier ultra-marathon. KZNA acting president Khulezweni Buthelezi announced on Friday that the provincial body has joined forces with ASA to engage in negotiations with the Comrades Marathon Association. Buthelezi emphasized that a direct, face-to-face dialogue is crucial for moving forward, as attempting to resolve the issue through media channels is not effective. He expressed optimism that the parties will meet multiple times by the end of September to discuss the matter amicably. A recent special general meeting of the CMA resulted in a vote to sever ties with KZNA and ASA due to a protracted conflict. The disagreement began a few years ago when KZNA took the Comrades organizers to court to prevent runners from other provinces from becoming CMA members. After losing the case, CMA attempted to disaffiliate from KZNA and affiliate with ASA directly, but the marathon organizers refused to pay more than R3 million in levies to the provincial body. ASA rejected this proposal, insisting that the race must remain affiliated with KZNA. Despite the strained relationship, KZNA remains hopeful that a mutually beneficial resolution can be reached through mediation.",
  "summary": "KZN Athletics acting president Khulezweni Buthelezi says the provincial body is eager to find a way forward.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}