BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH the TDC Inter-School Championships less than a week away, this article is aimed at highlighting the role track and field officials play in meets.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Area Technical Official James ‘Mologo’ Kelly said that regardless of the meet, the presence of officials accredited by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is very important.
“Whether it is a national meet or grassroots meet the presence of IAAF officials brings to the fore more acknowledgement and our people will have a better feel that the meet can be officiating up to a particular standard and satisfaction maybe guaranteed.”
Kelly also stated what the criteria are for being an IAAF accredited official as well as the different types of officials.
“To be an official you have to be at the age of 18. That is the relegation from the IAAF…and you must be physically fit.
“They are different types of officials. The criterion that I just gave is relevant to technical officials, but they have administration officials, international officials, they have the competition officials and others. To be technical officials you have to be 18 or over; however, they have runners and steward’s couriers who are under 18.”
Kelly continued: “So it is important that we get those persons who are over the age of 18 certified. Or, even if not certified, be in a position to have a good idea of the knowledge required to perform their duty as an official.”
He explained the benefits of being an accredited official.
“The benefits of being an official are that you get to meet a lot of people from different environments and different countries. To tell the truth, it is more self-appreciation if you could call it that; not only the other officials but you get to understand the athletes themselves because you have to know the athletes and the conditions.”
Kelly also explained that there are currently over 20 certified officials in the Federation and he gave some words of advice for those aspiring to become officials.
“The more you put in the more you get out, and attitude is important because the persons who are supervising and analysing you will look at your attitude and will not recommend you, depending on how you conduct yourself.”
He also stated that during competitions all officials are bounded by a code of ethics.
The following is the Code of Ethics to which officials are bound:
1. Officials must respect the basic human rights. That is, the equal rights of each athlete, coach and officials with no discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, birth or other status;
2. Officials must respect the dignity and recognise the contribution of each individual. They must ensure that the practical environments are safe and appropriate;
3. Officials must acknowledge and respect the Rules of Competition. This respect should extend to the spirit as well as the letter of the Rules, in both training and competition, to ensure fairness of competitive opportunity between all athletes;
4. Officials must exhibit an active respect for athletes and coaches by accepting their role as officials in providing judgment to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and according to the established rules;
5. Officials must accept final responsibility for their own decisions, conduct and performance;
6. Officials must assert a positive and active leadership role to prevent the use of any prohibited drugs or other disallowed performance-enhancing substances or practices. This leadership by officials includes the education of the athletes and coaches of the harmful effects of prohibited substances and practices;
7. The official must acknowledge that all coaches and athletes have a right to question official decisions through the communication channels established at the meet in which they are officiating. Observations, recommendations and criticism should be directed to the appropriate person outside the view or hearing of the public domain;
8. Officials should hold recognised officiating qualifications. Officials should respect that the gaining of officiating qualifications is an ongoing commitment, achieved through the upgrading of their knowledge by attendance of accredited courses and through practical experience;
9. Officials have a responsibility to share the knowledge and practical experience they gain;
10. Officials should work openly with other officials and display an active support of the National Federation and the IAAF;
11. Officials must respect the image of the official and continuously maintain the highest standards of personal conduct, reflected in both their manner of appearance and behaviour;
12. Officials should be professional in performing their functions and not allow personal intimate relations to tarnish the official’s name; and
13. Officials should never smoke while officiating, nor consume alcoholic beverages so soon before officiating that it affects their competence or that the smell of alcohol is on their breath.
