A GROUP of youth leaders in Macuata now have the opportunity to officiate at sporting events in the province after they attended a two-day sports co-ordinators workshop in Labasa.
The workshop facilitated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports was aimed at upskilling the youths in terms of sports development.
Ministry training officer Saiyasi Fuli said with the knowledge imparted to the youths, there was no need for tournament organisers in the province to hire referees and sports co-ordinators from Suva to officiate their event.
"These youths can be accredited to sports events in the north because of the skills and knowledge they acquire from this workshop," Fuli said.
"Apart from sports development, they are also trained on leadership skills, basic training principles and good administrators to name a few."
Fuli said they had already conducted the workshop for youths in Serua, Namosi, Rotuma and parts of Viti Levu.
"Now, we are moving up north and we only hope that these youths will make good use of this training," he said.
"At least, the workshop is able to retain money in the north instead of having to spend it on hiring officials from Viti Levu to be part of tournaments here."