SLC should intervene to solve dispute

Priyan De Silva - Matara Sports Correspondent

Uniting the three main umpires associations namely Association of Cricket Umpires of Sri Lanka (ACUSL), Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires Association (SLCUA) and the Professional Cricket Umpires Association (PCUA) is a mere pipe dream. Of the three associations the ACUSL is the oldest with the largest membership. There was much hope when a memorandum of understanding was signed between the ACUSL and the PCU on February 01, 2012. It is non existent now.

Amalgamating these three associations would be in the best interest of the game as suggested by the minister of sports at a discussion held recently. Assigning umpires has been the core cause for the splintering.

All three associations have been recruiting umpires from time to time with the ACUSL recruiting the most number.

It is understood that quality was sacrificed to make way for quantity which was detrimental to the game especially at school level.

To uplift the quality of umpiring Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) conducted a written examination followed by a viva and selected and graded a panel comprising of almost 300 umpires. The majority are members of either one of the above three associations.

The schools cricket fixtures conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) comprise almost 90% of all cricket matches played in the island. The ACUSL has a pact with the SLSCA and assigns umpires for all school cricket tournaments. It would be in the best interest of the game at school level if Sri Lanka Cricket steps in and assigns umpires for the schools cricket tournament as suggested by the minister of sports. Forming an assignment committee with representatives from all three associations is another suggestion.