Tonga recently hosted a successful edition of the Oceania Technical Officials System (OTOS) program, held at the Tonga National Olympic Committee Office in Nukuʻalofa. The course brought together 50 participants from the Tonga Athletics Association and Tonga Secondary School Sport, marking an important step forward in building local capacity for track and field officiating.
The program forms part of Oceania Athletics’ continued commitment to support Member Federations in developing strong and knowledgeable technical teams across the region.
Over several days of classroom learning, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of athletics officiating, including track events, jumps, throws, out-of-stadia disciplines such as cross country and road running, and race walks. The sessions were led by World Athletics Gold Referee Anthony Curry and World Athletics Bronze Referee Yvonne Mullins from Oceania Athletics Headquarters
A five-day practical component followed during the Oceania Cup, giving participants the opportunity to put their new knowledge into practice at an international-standard competition. This hands-on experience reinforced key skills and provided valuable exposure to in competition demands.
The course outcomes included the training of 50 new officials, stronger event hosting capability for Tonga, and the establishment of a clear pathway for local officials to progress through Oceania and World Athletics certification.
Work will now continue with advanced education opportunities, including the World Athletics National Referee Course and Bronze Referee Course for selected candidates. These steps form part of a long-term plan to ensure Tonga fields a fully qualified team of officials as the nation prepares for major events, including the Pacific Games in 2031.