ASSOCIATION URGES IAAF TO ACCREDIT MORE OFFICIALS

The Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials has appealed to the International Association of Athletics Federation to accredit more of its members.

NAATO's National President, Mr. Goodluck Akpodeh, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna on Tuesday that there were 'just a handful of IAAF rated officials in the country.

'NAATO wants more IAAF rated Area Technical Officers for athletics in the country.

'At the moment, we are just few. I know that handling of athletics require specialised skills. I also believe that we have skilled officials in the country who can make the IAAF rating,' he added.

Akpodeh said more accreditation for the association would boost the training of athletes for both local and international tournaments.

He said the association needed more accreditation in the department of Area Technical Officials.

Akpodeh commended the IAAF for maintaining high professional standards for members.

He noted with regret the poor sponsorship of athletes in the country which, according to him, is responsible for their poor international outings.

The NAATO president commended the Kaduna State Government for the provision of standard facilities for track and field events, but decried the bureaucracy involved in releasing them for competitions.

He also noted with regret that requests for the use of the facilities were made direct to the governor, who had to give necessary endorsement before they could be released to those organising competitions.