JEDDAH — The Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) under its Strategic Development Program 2015-2019 organized two Elementary Level Umpiring Courses in Madinah and Jeddah recently. Twenty-two umpires representing YACA (Yanbu Cricket Association), MCL (Madinah Cricket League) and MCA (Madinah Cricket Association) participated in a three-day extensive course on April 23-25 in Madinah with the support of MCA. In Jeddah, 36 umpires from WPCA (Western Province Cricket Association) and JCA (Jeddah Cricket Association) attended the course from April 30 to May 2. The umpires were given a detailed description of 42 Laws of Cricket with audio-visual support both in English and Urdu. The course was conducted by Khalil Kazi, international umpire and course educator, assisted by Dr. Sayed Ziauddin and Kashif Mirza. The 58 umpires went through three days of intensive compact course highlighting the cricket laws and their application and implementation on the ground during a match. The new by-laws introduced recently and their implications were detailed by the course educators. The explanations and other studies were conducted through slides and video demonstrations. Umpires were also trained to deal with the changing situations on the field of play during the match. Nadeem Nadwi, CEO, SCC; and other SCC officials Sadiqul Islam, Qasim Naqvi and Rahat Ali were present during the course along with the representatives from WPCA and JCA. — SG
