HOCKEY -- 4 ::

OPPORTUNITY FOR NILGIRI YOUTH TO BECOME HOCKEY UMPIRE

BY P S SUNDAR

           An opportunity for Nilgiri youngsters to shine as umpires in Tamil Nadu state level hockey tournaments has been thrown open by ‘Hockey Nilgiris’, functioning under ‘Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu’.

This follows the conduct of ‘Hockey Umpires Seminar and Clinic’ at Coonoor under the guidance of Surya Prakash, international umpire and Technical Committee Member of ‘Hockey India’. 

Rigorous coaching sessions were also conducted by S Ananthakrishnan, former National Umpire and present President of ‘Hockey Nilgiris’.

“Following these, a package of examinations comprising theory paper, Practical and viva voice was held to test candidates’ acquaintance with the latest international hockey rules and interpretations.  As many as 22 candidates took up the exam being held in Nilgiris after a gap of over two decades.  Successful candidates will be eligible to officiate at state level tourneys”, ‘Hockey Nilgiris’ Secretary J Balamurgan told me.  

National hockey player and Vice President Hockey Nilgiris Suresh Kumar and Treasurer of Hockey Nilgiris A Raja monitored the deliberations.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)