2 years on, UTCA yet to set up umpires’ panel

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13

Almost two years have passed since the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), Chandigarh, got the BCCI affiliation, it is yet to conduct seminars/courses for training and preparing a group of local umpires.

At present, the association outsources hiring of umpires through an approved panellist, but from another state.

Sources claimed that the UTCA had no separate umpires’ panel so far and matches were being allotted without following protocols.

“The umpires for all UTCA matches are provided by an outsourced vendor. For two years, the association has not conducted any seminar or course officially. There’s no written objection submitted in this regard with the association. However, yes it’s a valid point to raise,” said an UTCA official.

The sources also claimed that the matches were being supervised by umpires affiliated to the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA).

“The UTCA could have conducted at least one seminar or some course to get some good local umpires. It could have been conducted online or BCCI officials could have been approached for that. Even the existing lot of umpires could have been asked to attend such seminars. Like players, a dedicated panel of umpires can be made and a MoU can be signed with other states for using their (umpires) services in order to get fair results and to give exposure to our umpires,” suggested a senior functionary of the association. Meanwhile, UTCA officials remained unavailable to comment on the issue.

New operations head?

After the resignation of the UTCA’s operations manager, all eyes are now on the new appointment. Sources said someone from the former Ranji Trophy players, who were recently inducted in the UTCA, might be appointed to the post, considering the need for a professional in running cricket operations.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.