BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The sports world continues the struggle to find officials nationally and on the local level.

Martin County, in particular, is in need of officials this upcoming season for basketball, softball, volleyball and baseball.

As of now, three sports officials regularly call games in the area. Between the elementary and middle schools, there aren’t enough to cover both places in one night.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has implemented a new program for 14–17-year-olds to combat the loss of older sports officials.

The initiative will allow the appropriate ages to earn a KHSAA certification to officiate below high school level competition to introduce them to the sport.

The KHSAA implemented a streamlined system on their website to become certified. There are YouTube videos at the following link to outline the process to become an official: khsaa.arbitersports.com/front/104219/Site

This includes providing consent to a background check and a payment. The administration fee is $50 and $20 per sport.

After registration, you will receive emails containing rules and case books on the NFHS app that must be downloaded.

Once finished studying the content, a first-time official will take an exam. You will be given multiple attempts to pass.

When Part 1 exam has been completed, the above 18-year-old official will be certified to officiate high school sports in the state of Kentucky.

John Horn is the local assignor for Martin County and can be contacted at Eden Elementary School. Horn will assign the new official with a veteran to be trained.

Anyone wishing to officiate high school sports can find their assignor through the KHSAA or Arbiter Sports website.