In an extraordinary turn of events, Raj Patel, a self-proclaimed author, activist and academic has been heralded as the messiah Maitreya by a New Age sect (some references include the term ‘looney’) calling itself Share International, and he has rejected it, publicly claiming to be ‘just an ordinary bloke’ with no interest in his instant deification.

Despite being incredibly flattered “just for an instant”, The New York Times relates that Mr Patel, who claims to have been quite unaware of his godliness until the emails started flooding in, is rather uncomfortable with the concept of being worshipped by a bunch of search engine-savvy clan members of SI.

Mr Patel goes so far in his efforts to shrug the celestial mantle from his shoulders as to post a clip from Monty Python’s ‘The Life of Brian’ on his blog, significantly the part where the lead character tries to shoo away the adoring masses who are convinced that Brian is The One, despite his increasingly frustrated repudiations.

“And then you realize what it means,” the Times quotes Mr Patel explaining. “People are looking for better times. Almost anything now will qualify as a portent of different times.”

Ah, true. It’s difficult times indeed. Many would say far more so here in South Africa, than Mr Patel’s intellectual home, England, or his current home, the USA.

Few find themselves in sorrier positions in the sporting code’s world than Athletics SA, which had prominent members of its executive yanked late last year to resounding cries of acclaim, which has lost valuable sponsorship incomes and relationships, and which is still to prove itself capable of pulling itself out of this trench to brave another day.

A prominent television sports commentator recently recalled with bitterness how he and his brother used to go to the athletics meets when they were kids, the stadiums regularly shaking with the excitement of the many participants and supporters cheering the contest on.

Athletics is the most ubiquitous sport in our country’s schools, and it is the sport from which a superstar can come from any background. No previous disadvantage can prevent a determined athlete from success in athletics. But as dedication is a prerequisite for success, it’s in this light that we need to consider two things.

The first is that a once-in-a-lifetime clean-slate opportunity presents itself to the athletics community. Veteran sports administrator Ray Mali and his interim board will shortly oversee elections for the permanent board to be appointed, and dedication is required of administrators who believe they can positively contribute to the sporting umbrella governing body.

Unlike Mr Raj, who denies the vesting of holy powers, the vesting of power in the new board will be significant. There is much to be done by Athletics SA if the talent in our country is to be seen winning gold around the world. The individuals who will lead it will be instrumental in either creating a path that leads to that nirvana, or in the establishment of the devil’s ways.

But that power has limits, and its implementation is accountable to a higher authority. Those of us that have aspirations to this power, and those of us who support the candidates, must be aware that what we do can be scrutinized to ensure that it has been applied in the best interests of the sport and its athletes.

And those of us who see evil must never hesitate to speak the truth, for covering the eyes, ears and mouth leads to a well-worn path of damnation.

The second point is that dedication is required from all of us who love athletics, if we’re to see it return to and overtake former glories. This country promises each of us an equal shot at opportunities coming our way, and we can’t let our fatigue or apathy amputate the hopes and aspirations of the generations that will follow us.

Capacity for volunteerism is the godliness of Mr Raj that resides in all of us. More than any other code, athletics has been driven by volunteerism over the ages, and it’s that same community-based strength that can reinvigorate the tracks and fields that lie forgotten around the country.

It’s difficult times indeed, and we could use a miracle or two for sure. The amazing thing is that the miracle is within us all, just waiting to be birthed. An interesting fact that always journeys alongside a rise in crime is a decline in community activities.

We can’t allow this beautiful country to be stolen from us, and participation in athletics is one of the strongest statements that can be made in support of our birthright. Our nation’s future athletes need us, and we can make a difference.

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