Osea Waqa says his job as a starter is very challenging.

The Vusuratu, Natewa Cakaudrove native is the only technical official in Fiji that holds the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Areas Starters Course certificate.

He attained the certificate after the Oceania Championships in Cairns, Australia last year.

He got involved with the sport (athletics) at Levuka Public Secondary School where he assisted students during athletics competition.

He commended the assistance of the late Paul Yee, Vuli Waqa and Aca Levula.

“Being a starter is not an easy job and I could not have done it without the support of Levula, Waqa, Albert Miller and the late Paul Yee.

“These are the people who assisted me to achieve the certificate that any officials can achieve in the sport of athletics,” Waqa said.

“It’s more than a decade now that I have been officiating in various competitions and championships.”

Waqa 43, said to be a good starter one has to be neutral.

“You have to know the rules, you don’t have to support any country at the end of the day you are neutral. You just do your job and don’t favour anyone.

“Many times we get sworn at by spectators but it helps us to improve and do better.” Edited by Osea Bola

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