Athletics Malta Council Member and athlete Antonella Chouhal has achieved the Silver-Level Referee certification after completing the necessary coursework and examinations organised by World Athletics.
Through this certification, the first obtained by a Maltese, Chouhal will be able to officiate athletics track and field events at the highest international level, including possibly the Olympic Games, World Championships, the Diamond League as well as the World Athletics Continental Tour.
Silver-Level Referees, the second-highest international recognition of officials for athletics event, are subjected to an ongoing evaluation by World Athletics to ensure that a high level of technical knowledge is maintained throughout the validity of the certification, which is of eight years.
Among the technical know-how expected by silver-level referees, these officials would not only be required to understand and be able to implement correctly the rules of the multitude of track and field events in athletics but also handling of protests and other adverse situations that may occur during events, which would require immediate decision-making for a fair continuation of the said event.
This certification will also allow Chouhal to impart this acquired knowledge to fellow Maltese officials as the association seeks to continue investing to upgrade the levels of its referees and officials, improving the level of local competitions and increase the possibility of hosting events of international calibre on local shores.
