Indian hockey to have Satender Sharma as its representative

NEW DELHI: Indian hockey would not go completely unrepresented at the Olympic games in the absence of its team after umpire Satender Sharma has been appointed to officiate in the Beijing event.

Sharma is one of the 15 umpires appointed by the international hockey federation (FIH) for the top competition, but he could not hide the disappointment of not seeing an Indian team in action at the turf in China.

“If Indian team could qualify to compete, I would have been happier. Like all Indian hockey fans, I am extremely disappointed not to find our team there,” Sharma, who umpired in five matches during the Athens games, told PTI-Bhasha.

The Chandigarh-based Sharma said he was excited to be a part of the quadrennial extravaganza for the second time.

“When I umpired for the first time in Olympic games in Athens and blew the whistle, I cannot tell you what an overwhelming feeling it was. I was very happy. It was a childhood dream, which was fulfilled. Now I am again very excited to do the job in Beijing,” he said.

Sharma, who has officiated in two world cups and five champions trophy tournaments, is hoping to be on field in semifinals and final match this time.

“I umpired in five league matches in Athens. Now I am pretty experienced and hope I will get a chance to umpire in the semifinals and final at Beijing games. I also officiated in the final of the Champions trophy in Spain in 2006.”