Cricket umpires shocked over low match fee offer

Sharjah: The leading cricket umpires in the UAE have decided to stop working following a hike of just Dh10 to their match fees.

"Our match fees have remained unchanged for nearly 20 years," explained Tariq Butt, UAE's most experienced umpire. "We receive just Dh65 for 25-over games as well as Twenty20 matches, and Dh130 for one-day 50-over matches."

The umpires, who stand for hours under a blazing sun, had asked Sharjah Cricket Council, for Dh200 for calling games. They also wanted a travelling allowance.

The SCC offered an extra Dh10 per game. "We were offered an increase of Dh10 only," Butt said. "We have decided to abstain from officiating in all future matches organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council."

The umpires feel their rates are around the lowest anywhere cricket is being played. Following the decision, the Sharjah Ramadan tournament is now being officiated by non-regular umpires.

"We requested the introduction of a grading system based on experience, which would give Dh200 for grade A umpires, Dh150 for grade B and 130 for grade C. We also sought a transport allowance of Dh20 and lunch. All were turned down," Butt added.

Leading umpires including Fareed Malek, New Zealand umpire Fidel Jaary, Ifthikar Ali, Arshad Ansari, Hassan Javed, Fida Abbas, Rajeev Sharma, Navid Esmail, M.Farook, Sayed Shabir and Hamid Mukhtar have said they will not officiate matches.

"We have to travel to officiate matches in Al Dhaid and with incrseases in petrol prices we asked for a hike, but they refused. It was shocking," said Ifthikar Ali

"The council has increased their tournament fees and sponsorship charges but our fees alone remained unchanged. It is nothing but a lack of respect to our profession," added Ali.

"Our protest is not against the council but to uphold the integrity of the umpires. We have been asking for a hike for many years but it has been continuously ignored," said Malek.

Do you think the strike is justified? Or should the umpires adopt other methods to raise their concern? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

We are also playing in all current 20/20 tournaments being held in Sharjah and Ajman. We were very worried over the recent umpiring situation as the matches are supervised by people who have no clue about cricket codes of conduct. I strongly suggest council should take immediate action and make some arrangements with all these old and knowledgeable umpires and bring them back to game in the better spirit of cricket. COUNCIL SHOULD ALSO PASS PERCENATGE OF INCREASE TO ALL THESE UMPIRES KEEPING IN VIEW OF CURRENT MARKET INFLATION.
Saqib
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 03, 2008, 10:49

I reckon the umpires are justified in standing up against the ruling Cricket Body. What is AED 65 in this day and age where inflation is at an unbelievably high rate. Transport and Meal allowances too are justified as fuel and food expenses continue to soar. The UAE is a country where prices of almost everything have sky rocketed over the past few years. If the umpires have been receiving AED 65 for close to 20 years then it is high time that the situation changes now. The Sharjah Ramadan tournament is one of the premier tournaments in the country and the real danger for me, with non-regular umpires officiating, is that a bad umpiring decision could end up being the deciding factor between a certain team's victory and another's loss. Of course I am not trying to say that all umpires will commit blunders and not every match will be marred by a rough umpiring decision but we have all seen in the past what bad umpiring decisions can do. Teams enroute to victory get left high and dry by bad umpiring decisions. Even with the review system of late a few erroneous decisions have been made. For the betterment of the game at the local level, let us hope that the situation gets resolved and no team goes on protest because of an unfair decision (unintentional)by umpires. In the mean time a piece of advice for all batsmen playing the Sharjah Tournament, don't get struck on the pads or three alphabets could ruin your day - 'LBW' - and bowlers don't go any where near that popping crease because if the ump calls it a 'noball' the resulting free hit could seal the fate of the game!! Good luck to all the players! Anonymity requested please. thanks
Naeem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 03, 2008, 09:50

I am shocked to hear that what umpires earn there in UAE. Ofcourse this is right,they should stand for their rights.Umpires job is very difficult and when they spent hours in the field same as players so they should get good money for their job. My vote for Umpires!
Siper
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: September 03, 2008, 07:12