Aurangzeb Khan conducts workshop for SLCUA umpires

Friday, 9 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Internationally-acclaimed umpiring trainer and cricket columnist Aurangzeb Khan, an ACUS (England) qualified umpire while visiting Sri Lanka on a private visit, was requested by Ashroff Ghani, the President of Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires Association (SLCUA) to share his views and

deliver a lecture to the younger generation cricket umpires of Sri Lanka. Khan conduced a one-day workshop to a group of selected members of SLCUA at the Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club in Reid Avenue last Wednesday. In an introductory welcome speech, Ghany expressed his satisfaction on a number of achievements and his utter disappointment on placement of umpires in school cricket by a lone Association of Cricket Umpires Association, from amongst umpires enrolled on their own umpiring numbers roll, through their own coaches, avoiding the merited umpires at large from performing at this level. He also alleged that such action, which is an action of monopoly and discrimination, was damaging the cause of cricket in Sri Lanka. He finally said that there is a need for an immediate redressed in the interest of the cause and objective of uplift of cricket in Sri Lanka and a grave injustice to the school cricket which is the true grassroot and base of cricket. Addressing the SLCUA members, Khan, a field cricket umpire of Pakistan in the late 1980s and early 1990s being a promising cricket umpiring trainer, writer and columnist emphasised on the importance of personal and physical fitness besides the technical abilities of practicing umpires,

who should at all times demonstrate justified and acceptable professional behavior on and off the field at all times. “Good eyesight, hearing ability and the endurance to stand for long periods of time and acute concentration and anticipation, a must for umpires. Umpires, at all times should refrain from making any comment in favour or against a player, team or official expect for being upright, bold and straightforward in their reporting duties specified playing conditions and adjudications with the laws of cricket. Such umpires are highly regarded and respected by all in the game irrespective of their belongings,” he said. Khan advised the SLCUA umpires to be very cautious of their reputation which terms them ‘nompere’ (men above all) and to the extent of refusing politely an appointment of a match in which there is the likelihood of an allegation of partiality. Such umpires are highly respected by all. He added in response to Ghany’s welcome address that if there is more than one association, none should be allowed to monopolise over one class or division, blocking the way for the practicing umpires to practice their umpiring skills in all grades and divisions of cricket to be able to gain promotions according to their performance to higher levels such as international and test cricket.