ATHLETICS Fiji Development Officer Albert Miller has called on the national body to tighten the standards and structure of the Commonwealth Games trials, following the first round of trials held yesterday at the HFC Bank National Stadium, which saw over 100 athletes competing in the national trails.
Miller expressed concern that schools and local athletics clubs are flooding the event, treating it as a general time trial rather than a high-level competition for national selection.
Speaking during the trials, Miller stressed that the Commonwealth Games trials demand a high standard of competition that should not be diluted by excessive participation from athletes using the event simply to record times.
“This is not a time trial for schools, which is what I see a lot happening,” he said.
“I’m not trying to discourage anyone from taking part, but there is a time and place for that kind of competition. It’s important to demarcate the standards in our competitions, or we risk negative impacts on our national athletes,” Miller stressed.
With close to 60 athletes already competing in the 100 metres alone, Miller pointed out how the volume of participants caused delays, pushing the schedule back by an hour or more.
Such delays, he said, affect the quality and focus needed for athletes vying for national selection.
The development officer urged Athletics Fiji to introduce qualifying times and a proper vetting system to ensure only the best athletes from clubs and schools enter the trials.
He noted that previously, online registration allowed better control and selection, but recent changes to on-site sign-ups have compromised the standard.
“There needs to be a time and place for all athletes to compete,” Miller explained.
“Maybe we need to host more events specifically for schools and local clubs, so the Commonwealth trials remain a high-quality competition for those aiming for national honours.”
Miller’s comments come as Athletics Fiji moves to finalise its team for the Commonwealth Games.
His call for better organisation and clearer competition boundaries aims to preserve the integrity of the trials and support the development of Fiji’s top athletes.
