61 Out of 70 Local Umpires Struggling with ‘Unsatisfactory’ English
A recent English language test organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in collaboration with the American International University (AIUB) has revealed that 61 out of 70 local umpires have failed to meet the required standards. The test aimed to assess the umpires’ proficiency in English, as it is an essential skill for writing their reports as well as understanding the laws of the game.
Only nine umpires were able to achieve the status of proficient users in the test, with three of them being women. The remaining 22 umpires were classified as developing users, while the rest fell into the category of basic users. This means that currently, only nine out of the 70 local umpires possess the necessary language skills to officiate professional cricket matches.
Iftekhar Ahmed Mithu, the chairman of the BCB’s umpiring committee, emphasized the importance of English language skills for umpires. He stated, Those who don’t have these skills will have to remain as local umpires. It’s important to understand English to understand the laws of the game because they are all written in this language.
To address this issue and improve the quality of umpires, the BCB has decided to prioritize English language skills. David Moor, the head of the BCB’s program, is assisting in this endeavor. The board has an existing partnership with AIUB, which will provide support and assistance in this project.
The English language test was conducted to evaluate the umpires’ abilities ahead of their preparation for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) foundation course. It serves as an initial step in the ICC’s umpiring selection process. The BCB aims to ensure that the umpires are well-equipped to progress through the subsequent stages and achieve the required standards.
By focusing on enhancing English language skills among local umpires, the BCB hopes to produce a pool of qualified and competent officials who can actively contribute to the cricketing ecosystem. This initiative will not only improve their ability to communicate effectively but also enable them to write accurate and comprehensive umpire reports.
The BCB’s decision to address this aspect reflects its commitment to the development of skilled and knowledgeable umpires in Bangladesh. Through this comprehensive approach, the board aims to strengthen the umpiring fraternity and maintain the standards expected in professional cricket matches.
The English language skills of umpires are crucial not only for ensuring effective communication on the field but also for upholding the integrity of the game. The ability to understand and interpret the laws of cricket accurately is vital in making fair decisions during matches.
As the BCB and AIUB continue to collaborate on this project, it is expected that the local umpires will receive the necessary training and support to improve their English language proficiency. This will contribute to enhancing the overall umpiring standards in Bangladesh and elevate the reputation of local officials in international cricket.
In conclusion, the recent English language test conducted by the BCB has highlighted the need for local umpires to improve their language skills. With efforts focused on this aspect, the BCB aims to develop a pool of quality umpires capable of officiating professional cricket matches effectively. Through collaboration with AIUB, the board is determined to equip umpires with the necessary language proficiency to excel in their roles and ensure a fair and accurate adjudication of matches.
