UA swings into action against unlicensed ‘Marathons’

Uganda Athletics (UA) has swung into action to control and manage unlicensed athletics competitions/events in the country.

Many organisations and individuals have been conducting road races and marathons in the country wrongfully without express authority from Uganda Athletics (UA), the supreme athletics governing body in Uganda.

The UA reserves all the rights to permit promotion of any athletics events in the country in line with the World Athletics Rules and Regulations as well as National Sports Act, Cap. 151 and its regulation.

UA therefore warns anybody or organization that promotes, or is involved in the promotion of any athletics event in Uganda, in contravention to this Rule shall be liable to disciplinary action including the suspension of membership, a fine equivalent or double the permit fee and prosecution under section 60 of the National Sports Act, Cap. 151.

Any elite athlete (national or foreign) taking part in such a competition shall thereby be disqualified or suspended from competing under UA and WA Rules.

For clarity the athletics events identified below will now require specific permission from UA to be run in any part of the country:

(i) Track and field including relays;

(ii) Road races (1 mile, 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km, Half marathon, Marathon and any other distance introduced by the World Athletics);

(iii) Race Walking;

(iv) Cross country running;

(v) Mountain running; and

(vi) Trail running.

The following athletics events below are however permit exempted:

a) Events organized for employees of an institution (company);

b) Relatives to mark a particular anniversary; and

c) Members of a school or an Education Authority, provided that the relevant school is affiliated to a District Athletics Association.

Organizations will now require to apply to UA for permission to promote an athletics event accompanied by the appropriate fee. See fees details below. The submission shall contain such additional information as UA may require. The Federation must also be notified in advance of any athletics event which may be televised live.

The UA has discretion whether to grant or refuse permission and shall be entitled to apply to a grant of permission such conditions as it thinks fit.

Applications must include undertakings by the applicant to:-

a) Adopt and abide by the UA and WA Competition Rules;

b) Include the words ‘under Uganda Athletics Rules’ upon all advertising, programs and printed material issued in connection with the athletic event;

c) Organise and manage the event to the appropriate standard and comply with any additional requirements or conditions of the UA; and

d) State in all advertisements, program and printed matter that a License to promote (Permit) the event has been granted and have the document available for inspection at the venue.

FEE CHARGED PER EVENT

Track and field and relay disciplines

ROAD RACES:

For any mass national and international level competitions, the promoter shall pay to the Federation the basic fee per year and extra amount equal to 5,000/= per runner. Each regional/district committee shall decide if the 5,000/= per runner applies for all and decide what to do with the income. The Federation has discretion to charge more or less than the above amount depending on the circumstances.

STANDARD PERMIT FEE PER EVENT:

CERTIFICATION OF ROUTE

All road race promoters/organizers must request the Federation to certify the route and pay a fee at the time of request as follows:

However, organisers/promoters may choose to acquire services of a foreign Route Measurer at their own cost. Certification of a route by WA does not mean automatic clearance of the event. The organisers shall be expected to submit a copy of such a route to the Federation for validation and record purposes.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORGANISERS

Technical management of the events:

For all categories of events, trained and Uganda Athletics qualified Technical Officials (referees) or those accredited by the Federation must be used to officiate under these rules.

NATIONAL ATHLETES:

Event organisers may invite athletes registered under the federation through the following: Uganda Athletics, general invitation to all clubs of each athlete and local managers.

The invitations should indicate clearly the terms of participation i.e. prizes, bonuses and any assistance to the athletes.

ELITE ATHLETES (LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL)

Race Directors may only conduct negotiations for the appearance and promotion of elite and foreign athletes through Uganda Athletics, directly with the athletes, in this case, a formal invitation shall be made through UA and duly authorized WA Athletes’ Representatives (ARs) and Managers.

MASS PARTICIPANTS:

For events that are open to mass participation, the Organisers must indicate clear method of registration and conditions thereto such as insurance of each participant, disclaimer options, registration fee, method of payment etc.

PRIZE MONEY

For equality considerations, prize money offered to competitors, including bonuses for times achieved shall be equal for all competitors regardless of their nationality or gender. The organisers may choose to provide additional or special prizes to motivate for local athletes/participants, but such amount should not exceed the general prize for the main events.

UNDUE CHANGE OF PRIZE MONEY OR BONUSES

Once prize money or bonuses to winners are declared, no event organizer shall be allowed to make changes unless such a change enhances the prizes rather than reduction. In such a case, the UA shall be consulted since such a decision may alter the class of the event.

ORGANISATION OF EVENTS

All events sanctioned by the Federation shall be organized in accordance with the World Athletics Competition Rules. Race organizers must establish a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to manage the event. The committee shall consist of representatives from the UA or its structure i.e. district or regional associations.

CONDUCT OF THE EVENTS

Health and safety of the athletes, participants and officials is key. Event organisers must comply with this and cooperate fully with local authorities, police and health administrations to ensure the smooth conduct of the events, the security of all participants and the minimum disruption to local residents in case of out of stadium events.

Races shall be organised in compliance with all local laws and by-laws.

AGE BRACKET

No athletes below the age of 18 by 31st December of the year of competition shall be allowed to participate in more than 10km/10000m competitive events. The longest distance by any child (Under 18) shall be 5km. Organisers shall endeavour to organise shorter distance events for children.

SPONSORSHIP

For any event that has attracted major sponsor(s), the Organisers must ensure that the minimum period of sponsorship contract is three years. This is to ensure sustainability of promotion of athletics. A copy of such contract may be availed to the Federation.

Event organisers must also comply with marketing policy of athletics that discourages association with harmful products such as tobacco or alcohol where children participate, political engineered, poor environment or human rights records.