Gavaskar stresses on need to respect umpires

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, AUG. 17. The `Little Master' Sunil Gavaskar, known for his unlimited supply of anecdotes, refrained from humour while inaugurating the Board of Control for Cricket in India's 13th Annual Umpires' Seminar at the C.K. Nayudu Hall, Cricket Club of India on Friday.

The C.K. Nayudu Hall was packed to capacity, a majority of the 146 National and Ranji panel umpires from different corners of the country having taken their seats after breakfast at the `Family Room' of the Club. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is hosting the seminar, thanked Gavaskar for postponing his departure to Kenya and agreeing to inaugurate the seminar at which umpires discuss and debate laws of the game and the International Cricket Council's Standard Playing Conditions.

The MCA's Jt. Hon. Secretary, Prof. Ratnakar Shetty said ``There could not have been a better person than Gavaskar to inaugurate a function like the umpires' seminar, since he is also the chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee. After bouquets and mementoes were presented over 120 umpires heard Gavaskar's statements that must have pleased them and given them a shot in the arm.

``Honourable umpires'' he began, ``I am using the word honourable because nowhere does this word absolutely, truly and aptly apply, than to umpires. The umpires are important because they are part of the great game of cricket which doesn't start without them. `Respect the umpires, never question their authority and decisions' was what I frequently heard from my mentors and elders. Because of the pressures of international cricket, I forgot this advice on occasions. It will be one of the lasting regrets in my international career.''

The first batsman to break the 10,000-run barrier in Test cricket, Gavaskar told the umpires, ``nine out of ten times, it's the producer/director who is responsible for the re-plays that show doubtful decisions. Today's umpires are under far more pressure because of technology. Their decisions are dissected and commented upon. It's not always the commentators who ask for re- plays, nine out of ten times it's the producer/director who alerts us,'' said Gavaskar.

The most heart-warming remark from Gavaskar that made many umpires break into a smile was: ``All the commentators have enormous respect for the umpires. Most of the commentators have played international cricket for a long time and have interacted with umpires on the field. They have respect for the umpires and never ever comment to embarrass them. The umpires are part of the great game of cricket.''

``There is as much pressure on the players. With technology improving by the day, the focus is going to be on every aspect of the game. We have to be prepared to face it. At the ICC meeting in London, the first item on the agenda was the role of technology. The consensus was that things must `hasten slowly'. The height of the umpires comes into play when adjudicating leg before decisions. The human element or angle cannot be overlooked.''

Gavaskar recalled the days when he used to consult umpires at the end of a day's play about his technique. ``But the game must have its share of characters, too. Show of flamboyance is not out of place in the age of television. There's this umpire in New Zealand who was accepted and awarded international matches after a long time. I have been asked several times, why I did not become an umpire. The reason is: `I'm a late riser,''' he concluded.

ACUI office-bearers

Mr. Bomi Jamula was elected unopposed president of the Association of Cricket Umpires of India (ACUI). The other office- bearers are: vice-presidents: Messrs S.K. Sharma and K. Parthasarathi; secretary: Mr. Madan Singh; Jt. secretary: Mr. S.C. Gupta; hon. treasurer: Mr. S.K. Bansal.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Balaji sends IA crashing
Next     : ''Dilhara Fernando can be a phenomenon''