The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Umpire should know where he stands: Walia

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Monday, Sep 10, 2007
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Umpire should know where he stands: Walia

K. Keerthivasan

CHENNAI: There have been instances of National hockey umpires not being given their due in India.

Competent umpires get disillusioned and disappear from the sport for want of opportunities and encouragement.

Kukoo Walia, a member of the Umpiring Committee, Federation of International Hockey (FIH) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), and the Umpire-Manager, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), prescribes a formula that could, perhaps, address the issue.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said, “Indian umpires are improving gradually. But what we need is an infrastructure and software wherein we could maintain the records of all umpires, and use them whenever needed. “Each Nation al umpire should know where he stands and he should be informed about his assessment.”

Walia, who completed a three-day workshop for technical officials here on Friday, added, “it is important so that the meritorious umpires are not lost.”

Umpiring issues came up during the seventh BSNL-Asia Cup here.

The Pakistan coach, Islauddin Siddiqui, blamed “poor umpiring” as the sole reason for his team’s shock loss to Malaysia in a group match.

Walia doesn’t want to enter into a debate as it would serve no purpose. “One umpire who has impressed me is Chen De Kang of China,” he said.

Chen had officiated in the controversial match.

Walia said, “the overall standard of umpiring in the Asia Cup has been good. Few have been excellent, while some need more experience.”

Well attended

He said that the workshop was well attended. The objective of the seminar, Walia said, “was to make understand the responsibility and duties of aspiring tournament officials, judges and umpires before, during and after the tournament.”

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