'We haven't given umpires enough support'

CHENNAI, MARCH 19. Mr. Malcolm Gray, President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), while speaking to the media on various issues like umpiring, chucking, sledging and match- fixing here on Monday, admitted that regulation of the umpires was one area where enough thought had not gone into.

He confessed that the umpires and their needs have not been addressed properly. ``We have not given them enough support, we need to do more in terms of education, in terms of defining their roles, their remuneration, their fitness... we are looking into all these aspects. Umpiring is one area which is semi- professional.''

He said that young people who have played the game at a reasonably high level and those with sports management degrees would be given preference for the role of umpires.

He assured that ICC's priority would be to take umpiring standards to a ``new and high level. It is a problem we have recognised, and hopefully we will get over this,'' he said.

He added that there will be a professional and independent panel of umpires in the near future. Gray said that the ICC Panel will have eight International umpires for Test matches instead of neutral ones. He said that the report and the recommendations on all umpiring matters would be implemented by April 2002.

Asked whether technology will lessen the umpires' role, he remarked: ``there are humans and they make mistakes... more on the technology question will be discussed at a meeting of the ICC in London in May which will be chaired by administrators and players from almost every country.''

He said that while games like soccer and tennis have addressed the issue of sledging effectively, the cricket administrators have failed. The issue of sledging is high on the agenda of the ICC, he said.

He complimented the Board of Control of India (BCCI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their bold and courageous action. He dismissed the closure of the King Commission probe as ``no major matter at all.''

Gray also said that Paul Condon, the head of the Anti- Corruption Cell, would come out with a report by April 2002 which will answer all the questions regarding match-fixing.

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Section  : Sport
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