RUNNING SCARED: Gretta Taslakian of the Lebanon and Geraldine Pillay of South Africa compete in an IAAF event in Osaka, Japan. South African athletes want assurances about their future Picture: ANDY LYONS/GALLO IMAGES

Athletes uncertain whether they will take part in future events

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Athletics SA has been suspended by the national Olympic body, Sascoc, in connection with the Caster Semenya debacle, but has refused to submit.

ASA officials are refusing to budge from the organisation's offices and are resisting handing over power to an interim manager.

Pillay, a former sprinter and Commonwealth Games medal winner, is leading a campaign against the ASA board.

She said South African athletes were beginning to panic as the competition season approaches. They were worried that they would not be paid their monthly stipends because of the "uncertain" situation involving the ASA.

"The athletes have been told by e-mail about the ASA's membership being suspended by Sascoc," said Pillay.

"We continue to communicate as concerned athletes. The athletes are uncertain about whether they will be able to participate in the upcoming events. You cannot train in an environment of uncertainty when preparing for big events."

The first major series of meetings starts in January, to be followed by the Commonwealth Games in October in Delhi.

Yesterday, pressure mounted on the ASA board. Four provincial bodies threatened to lay criminal complaints against the board in connection with allegations of fraud. The four gave ASA board members until noon today to submit the organisation's annual financial statements. Until now, the statements have been kept secret.

The presidents of Western Province, Eastern Province, Boland and Free State said attempts to get the annual report from ASA general manager Molatelo Malehopo had failed.

James Evans, the Western Province president, told The Times yesterday that the ASA board was holding South African sport back by refusing to resign.

"When we initially asked for the annual financial statements from Malehopo, he asked for more time, and that was in October," said Evans. "He did not come back to us." Evans said the provinces were already struggling with administration issues because of the problems involving ASA.

• Individuals at ASA should confess their involvement in the Caster Semenya saga, said the Commission for Gender Equality yesterday.

"Although an apology is warranted, the central issue, however, is Ms Semenya, who has suffered an enormous amount of public humiliation and trauma," said Javu Baloyi, spokesman for the commission.