43 teachers attend IAAF accredited course
30 January 2019 | Sports
The Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU), in collaboration with Athletics Namibia (AN), conducted a national technical officiating (NTO) course for Oshana athletics officials.
A group of 43 teachers participated in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) accredited course to obtain a level 1 officiating certificate.
The course was aimed at upgrading the knowledge of national technical officials officiating at athletics competitions, as part of the AN development programme.
NSSU vice-president Remigius Iyambo said they are satisfied with the number of participants who attended the course, saying they came from the schools surrounding Oshakati.
He said the training was conducted from 22 to 25 January and teachers attended after classes.
“This training came at a difficult time of the year, when many teachers are still settling into their work. We did not wanted to interrupt teaching and therefore we were conducting the training after lessons. Getting 43 participants is a blessing for us,” Iyambo said.
“The objective of the level 1 course was 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 training came at the time when regions are busy with school athletics competitions, with sub-national games planned to take place on 2 March at Oshakati, Swakopmund, Windhoek and Rundu.
Bethold Karumendu, who is the regional sport officer stationed at Omaruru and an IAAF technical officials' education and certification system (TOECS) national technical official, conducted the workshop.
Iyambo said the participants who successfully completed the course received an IAAF level 1 officiating certificate, while those whose examination marks met required standard are eligible to attend a level 2 course.
“These people were being trained to become national technical officials and get certified by the world athletic governing body. We will be using these people for the national games and in the regions as well.
“The most important thing is that we sometimes host competitions such as Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) games, so we will use these officials to officiate and they will help a lot,” said Iyambo.
He added the training will be expanded to other regions as well.
ILENI NANDJATO
A group of 43 teachers participated in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) accredited course to obtain a level 1 officiating certificate.
The course was aimed at upgrading the knowledge of national technical officials officiating at athletics competitions, as part of the AN development programme.
NSSU vice-president Remigius Iyambo said they are satisfied with the number of participants who attended the course, saying they came from the schools surrounding Oshakati.
He said the training was conducted from 22 to 25 January and teachers attended after classes.
“This training came at a difficult time of the year, when many teachers are still settling into their work. We did not wanted to interrupt teaching and therefore we were conducting the training after lessons. Getting 43 participants is a blessing for us,” Iyambo said.
“The objective of the level 1 course was 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 training came at the time when regions are busy with school athletics competitions, with sub-national games planned to take place on 2 March at Oshakati, Swakopmund, Windhoek and Rundu.
Bethold Karumendu, who is the regional sport officer stationed at Omaruru and an IAAF technical officials' education and certification system (TOECS) national technical official, conducted the workshop.
Iyambo said the participants who successfully completed the course received an IAAF level 1 officiating certificate, while those whose examination marks met required standard are eligible to attend a level 2 course.
“These people were being trained to become national technical officials and get certified by the world athletic governing body. We will be using these people for the national games and in the regions as well.
“The most important thing is that we sometimes host competitions such as Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) games, so we will use these officials to officiate and they will help a lot,” said Iyambo.
He added the training will be expanded to other regions as well.
ILENI NANDJATO
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