The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : `Encourage cricket umpires'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 21, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

`Encourage cricket umpires'

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI, JAN. 20 . Indian cricket umpires are exceptionally good and stand on a par with their counterparts in the rest of the world, but what they need is proper exposure to emerge as top international umpires, observed former skipper and umpire, S. Venkataraghavan, here on Tuesday.

The veteran cricketer, who received the "Vocational Excellence Award" given by the Rotary Club of Tiruchirappalli Mid-Town at a function held here, said the umpires in the country needed a lot of encouragement to perform and must be provided with enough opportunity for better exposure to make them umpires of international class.

Noting that umpiring was a tough job, Mr. Venkataraghavan said it required physical fitness, mental alertness and a lot of concentration. "Concentration is most important as far as umpiring is concerned". Young umpires with sharp brains and proper refinement are required in today's environment.

Stating that it was his passion for cricket that prompted him to take up the umpiring job even after quitting as a cricketer, Mr. Venkataraghavan said the umpires should act in such a way that they gained the confidence of the players. Though umpires do commit mistakes at times, but good umpires committed least number of mistakes.

Observing that cricket was a team game, he said it developed leadership qualities among players. However, if one is to become a leader, it is also important to be a good soldier, he noted.

Thanking all those who encouraged him in the formative years, Mr. Venkataraghavan said he enjoyed the game thoroughly. He said umpiring enabled him to learn a few more things about the game of cricket and its laws.

The District Governor (Elect) and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, vice president, J. Sam Babu who gave away the award to the former skipper said a book on legendary cricketer would go a long way in motivating the budding cricketers, adding that he was ready to sponsor who came forward to take effort in this regard. The present generation players should not be weak minded and fight it out to find a place in the national squad.

Mr. Sam Babu said the rural areas accounted for abundant sports talent and all effective steps should be taken to tap the same by motivating them.

The president, Rotary Club of Tiruchirappalli Mid Town, D. Thirunavukkarasu, said that Venkataraghavan upheld the principles of the game and lent it a touch of class. Earlier, Mr. Venkataraghavan had a brief interaction with the umpires in Tiruchi and gave them a few tips about umpiring.

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