Athletics Fiji’s Development Officer, Albert Miller, has urged the national body to enhance the standards and structure surrounding the Commonwealth Games trials. This call for reform followed the inaugural round of trials held at the HFC Bank National Stadium, which attracted over 100 athletes.
Miller voiced his concerns regarding the influx of participants from schools and local athletics clubs, who are treating the event more like a general time trial than a serious selection process for the national team. He emphasized that the trials need to reflect a high standard of competition rather than be diluted by those using the platform merely to log their times.
“This is not a time trial for schools, which is what I see a lot happening,” Miller stated. He emphasized that while he supports participation, it is crucial to distinguish the nature of competitions to maintain the integrity and quality of the trials that are vital for national qualification.
With nearly 60 athletes competing in the 100 meters event alone, Miller pointed out that the sheer number of participants led to significant delays, inconveniencing the schedule and compromising the necessary focus for athletes aiming for national honors.
Miller proposed that Athletics Fiji should implement qualifying times and an effective vetting system to ensure that only the top athletes from clubs and schools are allowed in the trials. He noted that the move to on-site registration had undermined previous successes with online sign-ups, which allowed for better control over participant selection and organization.
“There needs to be a time and place for all athletes to compete,” Miller explained. He suggested the possibility of hosting additional events specifically tailored for schools and local clubs to ensure that the Commonwealth trials remain a premier competition focused on those aspiring for national selection.
Miller’s advocacy for improved organization in the trials reflects a desire to uphold the standards of competition, ultimately supporting the future success of Fiji’s athletes on the international stage. As Athletics Fiji works towards finalizing its team for the Commonwealth Games, these recommendations could play a crucial role in nurturing and developing elite talent within the sport.