AT a time when females are being empowered and Women’s cricket is on the rise, the Georgetown Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) Umpire’s training course was launched on Monday evening at the Umpires Room at the Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda, which attracted a large number of females.

The course, which teaches the ‘Laws of Cricket’ will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and culminate on August 3rd with a mock exam.

On Monday evening, Stephon Josiah played the role of MC while president of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUSA), Essequibian Dawchan Nagasar, and Demerara and Georgetown Cricket Umpires Association president, Ryan Banwarie, spoke to the 22 participants which included nine females.

Umpire Pastor Matthew Kissoon said the opening Prayer, while Match Referee and former Test pacer, Reon King, told the largest first-day turn-out for the course in recent times, about the attributes and duties of the umpire.

Some of the participants came from West Demerara and East Coast of Demerara and while the presentations by King and Kissoon seemed too long, their utterances were very informative.
Nagasar said he was pleased to see so many young female students and told the gathering that it was important for them to study the Laws since there were so many areas in cricket they could be involved in if they are successful in their exams.

“There are four exams you need to pass to be a fully qualified Cricket Umpire. Usually it takes three years to become fully qualified but this period could be reduced to two years.
“There is the preliminary Exams, the Final Written and the Oral and Practical Exams and we need more Umpires, especially females,” posited the GCUC Head.

Chairman of the GCA’s Competitions Committee, captain of the Transport Sports Club and also a coach, Shawn Massiah, told the gathering, which also included two cricket Journalists, cricket commentators and three GCB scorers, that without Umpires it would be difficult to run off tournaments since the GCA has 16 clubs.

“We (GCA) need Umpires and so I encourage all of you to love what you are doing and stay till the end of this 16-day course. Once you work you will get paid,” said the GCA executive.

King stressed the importance of preparation for Umpires and Match Referees and quoted Abraham Lincoln saying ‘give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend four hours sharpening my axe”

“The Umpires control the game and your appearance and body language are very important to your success since players will quickly identify weak Umpires” King cautioned.
Banwarie spoke on Laws 1,2 and 3, the Players, Umpires and Scorers respectively.

The GCA encouraged more coaches, players and cricket writers to attend the classes since many of them don’t know the laws of cricket.

“The Laws are different from the playing conditions and it is only questions on the Laws that will be asked in the Exams, so invest in getting a copy of the updated version of the pocket size MCC book on the Laws of cricket” advised Banwarie.

“Registration fee is $5000, and by joining our Level One and Two Umpires’ Training classes, you will not only elevate your skills but also contribute to the growth and development of cricket in the city,” Banwarie stated.

To register or for more details, persons can call the following numbers: 592 645-2596, 592- 6155330, 592- 6845250.
The next session is scheduled for this afternoon from 17.00hrs at GCC, Bourda and will focus on Laws 4-8.