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ASA is back on track

Johannesburg - Six months after the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) stepped in to assist Athletics South Africa (ASA), the embattled federation's interim administrators believe it is back on its feet.

"Everything is back on track and we're going to be making some exciting announcements over the next few weeks," ASA assistant administrator Richard Sander said at the Yellow Pages Series prizegiving on Tuesday.

Yellow Pages, sponsors of the domestic track and field season, had initially been reluctant so sign a new deal with the federation last year, but agreed to a three-year contract in January after ASA administrator Ray Mali and the interim board had been in control for two months.

"We had doubts last year about whether or not we would have any track and field competitions this season, but on the first day I entered the ASA office I received a call from them saying they would like to talk," Mali said.

"It is no secret that ASA has probably made more media headlines than most sports federations in SA over the past few months for a variety of reasons, but I am pleased to say that the sport is moving forward."

And while road running sponsors Nedbank have yet to come back on board to fund the Matha Series after cutting short a five-year deal in October, Stander is positive about ongoing talks with the banking giants.

"There have been some very positive things discussed in our talks with them," he said, adding that an announcement on the road running sponsor would be "made soon".

Mali and the interim ASA board were initially expected to have a new executive in place by this month, but their deadline has been extended till August while a forensic audit of the federation is completed.

Suspended ASA president Leonard Chuene and his board - most of whom have already resigned - are still to face disciplinary hearings, along with three staff members, after alleged financial mismanagement and various other indictments.

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