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Thirty-plus and going strong
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The Association of Cricket Umpires Karnataka (ACUK), the forum for umpires to interact and upgrade themselves in their field, completes three decades this year
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A few ACUK members snapped on a rainy evening at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. From left (sitting): N.R.S. Prabhu (joint secretary), S. Muralidhar (secretary), Shahvir Tarapore (president), B.R. Keshavamurthy (ex-officio member), Ravi Subramanyam (vice-president) and Vivekanand Kini (treasurer); standing: S.M. Yusuf, K.R. Raghavendra, A. Manohar, B.V. Vittal, Amarnath, and A. Anand — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash
IN THE heady summer of 1974, when Karnataka emerged as Ranji Trophy champions, a few sober men avoided the champagne streaks and decided to form an Association. Those men clad in white coats and black trousers never realised that their decision would strike roots and create an Association that would last three decades.
Messrs B. Sathyaji Rao, A.L. Narasimhan, V. Vikram Raju, S.N. Hanumanth Rao, B.R. Keshavamurthy and other senior umpires kick-started bonhomie and bonding between umpires and it is a camaraderie that has acquired a special sheen over the years. And their brainwave — Association of Cricket Umpires Karnataka (ACUK) - that started out as an informal set-up, where umpires meet and discuss, has progressed over the years and now has topics ranging from "benefit of doubt" to the "use of technology in aiding decisions".
The spirit of 1974 is still intact and it is evident every second Wednesday of a month when ACUK members meet and clarify doubts pertaining to umpiring. Keeping the tradition of learning alive amidst the State's umpires are the ACUK office-bearers who are aware of their tremendous responsibility of nurturing an Association that is rich in history and which is also poised for a progressive leap with more umpires joining the fray.
An Association that started out with a motley crew of 25 now has 250 members and ACUK president Shahvir Tarapore is quick to clarify that the body has no trade-union instincts hovering on getting its pound of flesh, but it is more of an assembly of umpires who are keen to learn about their profession and its challenges. "I would like to clarify that the ACUK is primarily an educational body where umpires meet, discuss issues, problems, and seek clarifications on rules and their amendments. Every second Wednesday in a month we meet and discuss new rules, playing conditions, and other legislations imposed by the KSCA as well as dwelling upon ICC issues pertaining to umpiring. We started way back in 1974 under the auspices of the KSCA, and we thank the State Association for helping us all through. This year, we complete three decades and our numbers are increasing and we do have forums such as the Shimoga Forum which handles umpires from Shimoga, Hassan, and other small centres. They work under our guidance," Shahvir said.
Shahvir along with other office bearers - Ravi Subramanyam, vice-president; S. Muralidhar, secretary; N.R.S. Prabhu, joint secretary; Vivekanand Kini, treasurer; and other committee members were a busy lot in recent times as they organised a seminar for State umpires.
Lectures by A.V. Jayaprakash, B. Mouli, S.M. Yusuf, V.N. Kulkarni and others dealt with the recent challenges faced by the umpires. "Our aim is to try and improve ourselves and help both junior as well as senior umpires stay abreast of new rules and changing formats. In terms of history, we are far ahead of other State umpire associations. We have an Umpires Day in November. Basically it is a day to commemorate the late Capt., M.G. Vijayasarathy, who was the first umpire from Karnataka to officiate in a Test match. Incidentally, his first Test was in the month of November. On the Umpires Day, we have discussions, debates, and invite a guest speaker to speak on a topic relevant to umpires. Last year, we had a debate on the use of technology in umpiring," Shahvir said.
The ACUK members are proud about their newsletter being published every three months. "Our newsletter is very important to us and we circulate it to the Board and other State Associations. We include topics that were raised in our monthly meetings," Shahvir said. Education rather than finance may be the governing credo of the ACUK, but Shahvir does acknowledge that the Association steps in with monetary assistance to ailing members. "Our Association does sanction interest-free loans after verifying the needs of the member concerned. We also gather funds through collections for a member who is in need, and in case a member passes away, we organise funds and give it to the bereaved family." The ACUK has indeed come a long way and Shahvir believes that the road ahead will usher in more milestones. It is time for the State umpires to swap high-fives and cull a few memories from the black and white photographs of 1974. "A rich history is our unique feature," Shahvir said. Hopefully ACUK's history will get many more footnotes in the years ahead.
Scroll of honour
ACUK Members who have umpired in Tests/One Day Internationals:
Messrs late M.V. Nagendra, late S.K. Raghunath Rao, late M.G. Subramanyam, B. Sathjayi Rao, S.N. Hanumanth Rao, Vikram Raju, A.L. Narasimhan, B.R. Keshavamurthy, A.V. Jayaprakash, S.K. Tarapore, B.K. Sadashiva and V.N. Kulkarni.
ACUK Objectives
TO CONDUCT, foster and promote activities that ensure better umpiring standards
To promote fellowship among umpires.
To meet periodically and discuss Laws of Cricket, law amendments, and experimental laws
To arrange outings/excursions for the benefit of members
K.C. VIJAYA KUMAR
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