By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – Long-standing president of the Scarborough Cricket Umpires Association (SCUA) Albert Ramcharran has issued a call to players under the umbrella of the body to acquaint themselves with the playing conditions of both the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) and the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL).Ramcharran’s call was also echoed by SCA president Shiv Persaud at last Sunday’s annual general meeting of the SCUA, held at Twilight Restaurant and Bar, Scarborough here.
Both presidents lamented the fact that players are more inclined to follow the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, while viewing cricket on television, and are not aware of the regulations of the respective associations. However, Persaud pointed out that the SCA intends to address the issue in the future with the aim of bringing them in conformity with the ICC rules.
The recently-elected SCA president disclosed that while he looks forward to working together with the SCUA, urged the umpires to be good ambassadors and also to avoid participating in the usual jollifications after the games.
Persaud also encouraged members to continue sharpening their skills and not to hesitate reporting any wrongdoings by players.
OSCL vice-president Terry Mathura informed the gathering that there are minimal changes to the rules for the new season and these will be communicated to the umpiring body well in advance of the opening fixtures, set for Saturday, May 14 next.
Mathura also advised the umpires to report infractions to the OSCL and promised these will be handled expeditiously by his disciplinary committee.
The SCUA also took the opportunity to hand out certificates and extend congratulations to several of its members who were successful at various levels over the past year.
Heading the list was Mathew Francis who is now a West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) qualified umpire and who also gained the most marks (92) among the Canadian candidates. Kalamuddin Baksh is the other WICUA umpire with similar accolade while Vish Jadunauth was successful at the WICUA final written examination.
Among the others successful candidates were Awahan Krishan (Level Three), Nazaam Ali (Level Two), Terry Mathura (Level One), Danny Singh (Level One) and Ramnarine Prashad (Level One).
Based on the constitution of the SCUA, only three posts were up for grabs at the AGM, that of vice-president, treasurer and assistant secretary. Bisham Singh was elected the new vice-president, replacing Peter Montfort, who was unavoidably absent while Mathew Francis and Nazaam Ali were retained as treasurer and assistant secretary respectively.
Members observed one minute’s silence on the passing of the late Uncle Jim, familiarly known as Pops, who passed away late last year, and Desmond Singh, the brother of vice-president Bisham Singh.
Uncle Jim, who died at the ripe old age of 103, was an ardent cricket supporter and enthusiast at the Ellesmere ground, Scarborough.