ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 6(4), 648-655 648 Journal Homepage: -www.journalijar.com Article DOI:10.21474/IJAR01/6899 DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/6899 RESEARCH ARTICLE 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. Alpha Bassie Mansaray 1 , Martha Hamilton 2 and Mohamed Babayen Shaw 3 . 1. Lecturer, Njala University, Njala Campus, Sierra Leone. 2. Teacher, University Secondary School, Njala. 3. Lecturer, Freetown Teachers College, Kossoh Town, Jui. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Manuscript Info Abstract ……………………. ……………………………………………………………… Manuscript History Received: 09 February 2018 Final Accepted: 11 March 2018 Published: April 2018 Keywords:- officiating, know-how, Track and field athletics, officials, competition. 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. Copy Right, IJAR, 2018,. All rights reserved. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Introduction:- Sport officiating over the years in Njala Township and its environs had been critiqued by sports personnel, parents and athletes on the basis of officials not up to the task of the job as track and field athletics competitions most often culminate in violence due to unsatisfactory officiating. Officials at some point in time in the officiating process would be embroiled in bitter arguments with each other about poor judgment or rather wrong implementation of the rules. It was like officials coming from different schools of thought with divergent views about the rules; which should not be the case in officiating. Officials are expected to judge actions of athletes from a single rule book and talk with one voice as enshrined in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rule book in existence at the time. This is applicable especially for secondary schools and colleges. Kindergarten sports however have their own designed rules as deemed necessary by the organizers considering the nature of their sports. Officiating single round competition isn’t that much difficult as heats where there are more athletes participating. GASOA officials had been used to officiating single round competitions. Officials therefore have to be aufait in Corresponding Author:- Alpha Bassie Mansaray. Address:- Njala University, Njala Campus, Sierra Leone.