South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) board member Ray Mali says an interim board will be established soon to solve problems faced by athletes in the country.

Mali, who has been appointed caretaker administrator of Athletics South Africa (ASA), started his duties this morning.  Mali held a meeting with ASA staff members, the general manager Molatelo Malehopo, and then addressed the media at ASA’s Johannesburg offices.

Mali says he is ready to work with the soon-to-be established board, saying his duties would be to ensure that the interim board is up and running.  He also says together with the board, they will repair the damage the organisation has suffered and also ensure that sponsors are on board as the organisation embarks on a way forward.

Mali took over Sascoc’s administration following the suspension of Leonard Chuene, three employees of ASA and its board for their handling of the Caster Semenya gender controversy. Earlier reports indicated that Chuene, who is refusing to recognise Mali, was not present at the ASA offices.

Last week things turned for the worse for ASA as Athletics Gauteng North (AGN)'s board resigned, giving a vote of no confidence to the federation. AGN joined the Eastern Province, Western Province, Boland and Free State athletics associations in officially denouncing the federation's board.