Athletics SA (ASA) is looking into the possibility of hosting the national championships a little later in the year, president Aleck Skhosana said yesterday.

The competition has traditionally been held in mid-April, but Skhosana said it could be moved to May.

"We are investigating this possibility," he said. "It's not fair that athletes have to peak twice in a season."

Peaking twice a season has been an issue in SA athletics with many having argued that athletes should not be expected to peak on home soil in the southern hemisphere summer and then again at major international competitions in the European summer.

"We will be consulting with athletes and coaches, but we are looking at holding the SA championships in May," Skhosana said.

Top track and field nations like the US and Jamaica host their nationals, which also serve as trials, about a month or so before the big competitions of the year and their winners have an easier time maintaining form until the Olympics or world championships.

ASA recently introduced a two-meet invitational series, the second of which is in Cape Town on Saturday, aimed at giving athletes another chance of qualifying for the world championships in Beijing in August.