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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
BULAWAYO is set to play host to an International Association of Athletics Federations Technical Officials Education Certification System (TOECS) Level 1 course next week to be attended by participants from all over the country.
Bulawayo Athletics Board chairperson, Manuel Mpofu said 20 participants have registered for the course with each province being represented to ensure an even spread of technical knowledge across the country.
The course begins on Saturday and ends next Wednesday.
Participants will be taken through the technical aspects of officiating and managing competitions.
The course will be officiated conducted by the IAAF qualified lecturer, Aeneas Nhoro, who is also the vice-president of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe.
“Eligible participants are those who have acquired national level 1 and 2. The course will be conducted at White City Stadium because the venue has appropriate athletics equipment and track allowing for the easy conduct of practical lessons.
“It will be the only course this year as it is done after approval from IAAF, who provide course materials,” said Mpofu.
According to the IAAF website, the goal of the TOECS is to improve the level of athletics officiating all over the world by creating a basic course, and improving the level of officiating skills.
The TOECS features standard learning materials and is officiated by specifically trained lecturers.
According to IAAF the objective of the Level I course is to provide participants with the theoretical and practical training required to make them capable of officiating at national level competitions and at international competitions held within the country.
“The Level 1 course also identifies candidates for the position of national technical official. Level 1 courses are organised by the member federations; however, for approved courses the IAAF will supply the necessary materials.
“Participants who successfully complete the course receive an IAAF Level I Officiating Certificate. Those participants whose examination marks meet the required standards are eligible to attend a Level II course,” reads a statement on the IAAF website.
Mpofu said those who attain the requisite marks will be eligible to register for a Level Two course that will be held in September but will be specifically for jumps.
“For one to proceed to Level 2 they need to have attained high marks in the Level 1 exam. The Level 2 course will be specifically for jumps as we look at both horizontal and vertical jumps that include pole vaults, high jump, triple jump and long jump.
“At Level 2, other areas of specialisation include sprint and hurdles, long and middle distance and combined events and race walk,” he said, adding the course will also be held at White City with a Germany official set to officiate.
IAAF states that the objective of the Level II course is to provide participants with the theoretical and practical training required to make them capable of officiating at international competitions up to the Area level. The Level II course also identifies candidates for the position of area technical official. Those participants whose examination marks meet the required standards are eligible to attend a Level III course.
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Bongani Ndlovu