ASSESSING THE KNOW-HOW OF GAMES AND SPORTS OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION (GASOA) OFFICIALS IN OFFICIATING TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETICS COMPETITIONS IN NJALA TOWN, MOYAMBA DISTRICT, SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONE

This study assessed the officiating know-how of sports officials from the Games and Sports Officials Association (GASOA) in Njala Town, southern Sierra Leone. The study targeted 50 sports officials, 30 males and 20 females. They were drawn at random from both track and field events. It was reported that officiating associations were not doing enough towards free, fair, impartial and efficient judgment in Inter-House, Inter-Hall, and Inter ?Area track and field athletics competitions in the township. The study of Games and Sports Officials Association (GASOA) proved this hypothesis to be null, as it was observed from data collected after descriptive statistical analysis with SPSS that indeed the officials were up to the task, giving the data collected from questionnaires, interviews conducted and independent observation during inter-house and inter-hall track and field athletics competitions. Notwithstanding the gains made in officiating, there were cracks for which recommendations were made on how the officials can continually build their capacity.