THE OFTEN ‘UNSEEN’ BUT INDISPENSIBLE TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

It is a common feature at any and all championships, be at badminton or other sports, that the main focus of attention to be the players, particular the famous ones and the prettier ladies. Spectators and fans tend to save their loudest applause for them and remember them long after the tournament is over and forgotten.

Unfortunately one group of officials who had played a significant role at these same championships often attracts the least attention unless of course they had committed some serious distraction that brings them into focus.

In badminton we call this select group of people, technical officials – referees, umpires and line judges. Their role in the success of any tournament is beyond measure, considerable in fact. It is their presence around the playing arena that ensures that tournaments are run smoothly and in accordance with the laws of the sport. They are indispensable at any championship. 

A case in point is the recent South East Asia Games in Vientianne, Laos. For the efficient running of the badminton events, the organizers had requested from Badminton Asia Confederation, the umbrella body of the sport in Asia for a set of technical officials to help run the events. It is important that sport at any level is conducted by qualified officials for it to be recognized by the international federation. Thus the approach by the SEA Games organisers to the BAC for assistance.

In response and in consultation with some member federations, BAC nominated 17 officials to help run the badminton events in Vientianne. This included a technical delegate, a referee and his deputy and 14 umpires to manage the five disciplines of the sport.

The technical delegate to the championship was a Badminton World Federation council member Surasak of Thailand. A second BWF council member Junichiro Yamada of Japan was the referee with Thailand’s Nahathai, his deputy.

The umpires comprised Waivuth, Somyos, Chaiporn, Kittiphon, Manit, Sommat, Naranon, Noppadol and Morakot of Thailand and Singapore Richard Ting.

Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines nominated one technical official each. The Malaysian was Yong Loy Kong and Vietnam was represented by Mai Lang Yen while Judith Brosula was from the Philippines.

The presence of these 17 officials from the five member associations of the South East Asia Games Federation along with numerous local line judges ensured that the badminton events of the Laos SEA Games were run smoothly and in accordance to the laws of the sport.