The 7-day umpiring course under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Development Program concluded here at the Hotel Sherpa, Kathmandu today.
The training divided into two parts – refreshment for experienced and basics for newbies, was conducted by Peter Manuel, the Sri Lankan Test umpire. Cricket Association of Nepal organised the training.
Twelve new umpires and scorers benefitted from the last four days of the training while the early three days were divided senior and experiencd umpires and scorers.
On the concluding program, Peter Manuel praised the management of CAN and hoped that the Nepali umpires would go far ahead. “I have always liked training in Nepal because I enjoy here,” he said. “The quality and calibre of the participants here is really very good and most of the time I feel like I am on the holidays.”
Manuel also praised Buddhi Bahadur Pradhan, the Nepali umpire nominated to 10-man panel of ICC Associate and Affiliate Umpires, and told the participant that they had now the goal to reach. “You got to work hard, but you have to goal,” he added.
Similarly, CAN president Jai Kumar Nath Shah hoped that the participants would help to the development of cricket while vice-president Shree Harsha Koirala requested umpires to send feedback to CAN.
Vice-president Shree Niwas Rana, treasurer Sashi Subedi and CAN officials were present on the occassion. Ashok Nath Pyakurel was the co-ordinator of the training program.