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An expert umpire
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His humour makes his job and that of his colleagues pleasurable. Meet Prof. P. Narasimhan, who has officiated nearly 500 tennis matches including inter-collegiate, State-level, Satellite, ATP and Davis Cup, in a career spanning two decades and more.
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Tennis official P. Narasimhan Pic. by R. Ragu
THERE IS seldom a dull moment when Prof. P. Narasimhan or "Professor" as he is popularly referred to in tennis circles, is around. He makes his job and that of his colleagues pleasurable. But there is more to the former Principal of AM Jain College than mere humour. He is one of the respected officials in the country, who has officiated nearly 500 matches including inter-collegiate, State-level, Satellite, ATP and Davis Cup, in a career spanning over two decades.
Now in the twilight of his career, the 58-year-old, an acknowledged expert in framing schedules and draws and a certified white badge umpire, has enduring memories. When opportunities were limited and exposure to officiating scarce, Narasimhan, a southpaw in his heyday, has come to earn the respect and admiration of the fraternity as a committed official.
As one who took to officiating "for pure love of the sport", Narasimhan has had the opportunity to visit different parts of the globe — as a chair umpire, linesman and official — where he has performed his duties with distinction.
The "big break" came in the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi, and then he went to Seoul for the 1986 Asian Games, where he was the only Indian among the technical staff. He was the chair umpire for the 1989 Davis Cup tie between India and South Korea at Barooch in Gujarat. He also had the unique distinction of umpiring the finals of the 1986 Asian Games where he had to co-ordinate with lineswomen and ball girls. "There I was adjudged the best chair-umpire by the International Tennis Federation."
Recognising his knowledge and rich experience, the International Management Group sent him to attend clinics in Frankfurt and Hamburg in 1998-89. And in subsequent years, he was the chief of officials for the ATP event in Chennai, a role he says was that of "sandwich between the chair umpires and referees and on-court assistance in consultation with the chair umpire."
Even today, one can spot him walking around the stadium during AITA tournaments, ensuring that everything is in place — the draws are done, the schedules put up on the board. He reminisces with pride how well he handled things during troubled times. "During the National Games at Thiruvananthapuram, we were told that former chief minister MGR passed away, so we were forced to schedule the matches the following day. Some players came on to the court with black badges. And then during an AITA tournament at Mysore, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, here too we had to reschedule the matches."
His strong point — and the reason why organisers flock to him — has been his skill in making draws. The general impression he says, "Call the Professor and he'll do the job." He says with authority, "No one has questioned my integrity."
Narasimhan's job was made easier by the dedicated team of officials. "I shout at them and sometimes even upbraid them, but they know why I am doing it," says the former Head of the Department of Physics at the AM Jain College. He slowly rose to the post of Principal, which he held from May 2002 to May 2003.
He now wants to conduct clinics for officials. "They are the backbone of the tournament and surely deserve better treatment. "Ninety-five per cent of good umpiring will be forgotten and 5 per cent of unintentional mistakes would be blown up."
He laments that technical programmes for officials are not well organised in India, while at the same time he point out the lack of accountability prevalent among his tribe. "The intention to learn is not there. Few officials are committed to the game. It is disappointing."
He notes that now the opportunities and the rewards are more and anyone who wants to make officiating a profession can do so, provided he shows the inclination and the desire. As regards his plans to conduct clinics, he says, "It is left to the National Association to utilise my services."
But all the statistical achievements cannot hide Narasimhan, the man. He remains simple and humble, one who can converse freely, crack jokes with everybody around him. With a son and a daughter both becoming green cardholders in the U.S., Narasimhan is happily leading a quiet life in Mylapore. "I am not enamoured of big things in life now. Tennis has given me a lot of satisfaction and contentment."
K. KEERTHIVASAN
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