SOUTH African athletics legend Hendrick Ramaala has quit ASA administration to get his running career back on track.

This comes after ASA board appointed former banker Frik Vermaak as new chief executive of the cash-strapped federation.

Ramaala was appointed acting head of administration 12 months ago by the then ASA caretaker boss Ray Mali after the suspension of Molatelo Malehopo.

Malehopo was suspended with the then Leonard Chuene-led board by the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee on their handling of the Caster Semenya gender debacle.

"We had a welcome party for Frik on Monday attended by other board members, which is why I decided to leave the administration of the sport," said Ramaala.

"The person I was acting on behalf of is here and there is no need for me to remain in the office. I'm now an ordinary board member of ASA.

The South African 10000m record-holder said quitting administration will enable him to spend quality time at training.

"In the past I was not able to train twice a day because of ASA commitments," he said.

"This is the year of the Olympic Games and I have to train hard to run the qualifying time."

Ramaala is off to the Middle East for the Dubai International Marathon on January 27 where he is hoping to run under two hours and 10 minutes to qualify for the Olympics.

Chasing his fifth Olympic Games appearance, Ramaala is still undecided about competing at the London Marathon in April.

"I have not been running actively in the past two years and I have to run a good time in Dubai to be invited to the London Marathon."