Umpires’ course begins

Sports reporter
GUWAHATI, May 24 - The Level-I course for the umpires of Assam Cricket Association began at the Hotel Prag Continental here today.

The course has been sponsored by the Indian cricket board (BCCI) in a bid to improve the standard of umpiring in the country.

Three BCCI officials, games development manager Stanley Saldanha, former international umpire and BCCI’s umpire educator SK Bansal and another educator BS Bhatti will impart training to the State umpires during the four-day course.

Inaugurating the course Saldanha, who was also a first class cricketer said, the laws of the games would be discussed thoroughly by the educators so that the participating umpires will understand all the basics of the cricketing laws. He also urged all the participating umpires to take the course seriously and professionally as from such course they can learn much about the game and can develop their confidence. He also elaborately explained about the importance of an umpire during the game. He also advised the umpires to conduct as many matches as they can in order to improve their standard.

The former international umpire SK Bansal, while speaking on the occasion, regretted that although India is a leading cricket playing country, it doesn’t have a single ICC panel umpire. He promised to discuss all the laws elaborately and to help the participating umpires through his practical experiences.

Assam Cricket Association secretary Bikash Baruah welcomed the BCCI officials and the State umpires. Former international umpire Suren Ram Phookun, who has been appointed as coordinator for this programme, also spoke on the occasion and appealed the trainee umpires to go through the laws properly and improve their body language while on the field.

ACA vice president Bhakti Medhi presided over the function while other officials treasurer Ghanashyam Baruah, joint secretary Bishnu Ram Nunisa, umpires, board secretary Md Khalique, Imdad Hussain, Dilip Nandy were also present on the occasion.

Altogether 25 umpires from different districts are participating in the course which will be concluded on May 27 with an examination. ASSAM TRIBUNE