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| Khotso Mokoena © Gallo Images |
A deal is a deal.
That is why athletics coach Angus Pohl is claiming between R170 000 and R200 000 from Khotso (Godfrey) Mokoena, winner of the silver medal in the long jump at last year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
Pohl claims an agreement was reached last year that he would be entitled to ten per cent of Mokoena’s prize money, appearance fees and performance bonuses.
He has already received ten per cent of Mokoena’s prize money and appearance fees.
“Godfrey is refusing to pay me ten per cent of his bonus money. I am entitled to it because I spent between three and five hours daily for six months to prepare him for the Games,” said Pohl.
“My business suffered, but I did not complain because it was important for Godfrey to do well at the Olympics.
“No athlete just pitches at the Games and simply decides to win a medal. They win medals because of what happens prior to the Games. The fact that he won a medal is proof that I did something right as a coach.
“What is ironic, is that Godfrey sent me an e-mail to thank me two days after winning his medal.
“His words were: ‘Thanks, coach. It was good and hard work. There will always be a part of you in my medal. Well done’.”
Pohl said problems between him and Mokoena started because Jukka Hárkónen (an agent) was interfering with his training methods.
“No athlete can perform if he does not have 100% faith in what his coach is teaching him. Godfrey wanted to do his own thing,” said Pohl.
“It became too much for me. I issued him an ultimatum and said if he did not want to listen, I no longer have a role to play in his athletics career. Godfrey told me he will be doing things his way.”
Mokoena did not want to comment on Tuesday.
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