58 foreign referees hired for 13th National Games of China

58 foreign referees have been hired to work at the 13th National Games of China, currently underway in Tianjin, reports thepaper.cn.

58 foreign referees are taking part in the 13th National Games of China in 2017. [Photo: VCG]

Even though it's not an international competition, they're umpiring in eleven events, including Rugby, Handball, Field Hockey, Fencing, and Synchronized Swimming.

The organizers say the foreign referees eliminate the danger of personal factors getting in the way of an impartial environment for the games.

A foreign umpire in the female Field Hockey in the 13th National Games of China [Photo: thepaper.cn]

In the field of female hockey for example, Suzanne and Maliana are bringing their experience to the games, reports by Guangzhou Daily.

"This is an extraordinary experience for me as an umpire. We get along well with each other. The match is intense and high-leveled, I'm excited about it," said Suzanne.

"I governed the last national games of China. I feel extraordinary as there are games of this size in Argentina," said Maliana, who was also one of the umpires for Field Hockey in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Foreign referees in Synchronized Swimming in the 13th National Games of China [Photo: Xinhua]

Miao Lin, chief umpire for the male Field Hockey events, says the foreign umpires are all of a high standard, and they are mainly being used in games played by teams of relatively equal strength, to make sure they take place in a fair and just environment and to relieve the pressure on Chinese umpires.

Miao Lin added the remuneration for the umpires fell into line with international standards, at 100 US dollars for each match.

Foreign twin referees in the 13th National Games of China. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

Dubbed China's "mini-Olympics", the 13th National Games of China started on Sunday evening, at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium. The biggest-ever edition of the National Games will run until September 8.