The Sri Lankan Cricket Umpires’ Association (SLCUA) held its Felicitation Night at the Global Towers in Wellawatte last week under the patronage of distinguished cricket personalities and local umpires.
At the ceremony nearly a100 of its members were felicitated for their yeomen services bestowed as umpires for the game of cricket.
Presently the SLCUA has many experienced and budding umpires with many of them being youngsters who are training under the watchful eyes of the veterans of the trade namely D.N. Pathirana, J.W.K. Boteju and E.K.G. Wijewardhana.
The President of SLCUA, Ashrof Ghany, at the felicitation ceremony stated the importance of being disciplined and unbiased at matches to safeguard the reputation of cricket umpires.
Ghany further went on to say that the SLCUA is making all possible moves to encourage youngsters and newcomers to take up cricket umpiring.
“An umpire should be well educated of the updating cricket laws, be neutral, unbiased and always ready to handle the pressure. At SLCUA, we are helping our members, specially the youngsters to adhere to those values,” he added.
The SLCUA currently officiates matches conducted mainly by Mercantile Cricket Association, Nationalized Services Cricket Association, State Services Cricket Association, Colombo District Cricket Association and other encounters.