Umpire Raghu Prasad: Holding the tri-colour on global stage

Even as Dikwakarram and Company missed out, India was not totally out of the final of the recent Junior World Cup. We had our man there. Bangalore’s youngster Raghu Prasad was the proud umpire for the Germany- Netherlands final, and it was a great success.

“Once my name was not there in the semifinals, I was expecting the posting for the final, am happy it so happened”, Raghu said speaking to stick2hockey.com. In his 7-year umpiring spell, he rates the Johor Bahru final his career best highlight”.

Reason: “Excellent crowd, great hockey, I enjoyed thoroughly my moments. There was no protest”.

Raghu Prasad took up umpiring very early, during his college days, itself a rare phenomenon in India.

“I was an Engineering student then. I could not spare as much time as playing hockey would entail, therefore it is umpiring my choice to be with hockey”, says Prasad, who played for Bharat Electrical Limited (BEL) Club. Sandeep Michael who led India to the Junior Asia Cup gold in 2004 was his Club mate.

After a long domestic season, Raghu got his first assignment in Australia.

Raghu was all over joy to officiate in his maiden assignment, Hockey Australia Challenge Cup in Perth and Sydney, in 2003.

“I was particularly thrilled in this tour because of many factors. First time I traveled abroad, good reception, goody goody advice and interaction with the then coach Rajinder Singh Sr and Dhanraj Pillay. Then of course my Club mate Sandeep Michael was in the team, I hardly felt alone”, Raghu recollects.

Australia is the best country he visited so far because of “nice people nice climate, nice crowd.

Raghu so far has officiated in 16 tournaments, six in the junior category. Johor Bahru was his second Junior World Cup after Rotterdam four years ago.

Interestingly, of the 16 tournaments Raghu supervised, 12 are either FIH or Continental Federation events, a sign how much respect this lanky lad commands.

In the run up to the Rotterdam, Raghu got invite for the European Under -21 World Cup Qualifier held in Belgium, then Oceania Cup (Under-21) — this is also Junior World Cup Qualifier — in Wellington, New Zealand. In between India sent him for the Gifu and Bilbao 4-Nations.

In effect, he was grilled in three continents, Europe, Asia and Oceania, before getting his first Junior World Cup posting in Rottardam.

Since making his debut in 2003, Raghu grabbed chances that came his way with both hands. In only his second assignment – Kuala Lumpur Asia Cup – he officiated in the bronze match, missed the final as India was in the final.

Raghu’s growth, which holds India’s flag atop on the world stage, is interesting and watch worthy. Because, it is not easy to be a hockey umpire in general India in particular.

The attitude of those who count in Indian hockey – players, coaches, Federation, sports recruiters – is anything but encouraging.

Indian players and coaches train their guns towards the umpires unprofessionally. For the Indian coaches and star players, their team lost because of ‘umpires’ all the time.

As if this hostile atmosphere is not enough, government agencies who recruit players for the team did not have any provision to take umpires. Except a few occasions, the Federation too leave out umpires – there are umpteen number of occasions when the umpires had to foot the bills on their own to represent India at the international meet.

Raghu dwells on the twin factors that characterize Indian umpires

“Yes, officiating in Indian domestic circuit is difficult as they players and coaches do not seem to enjoy the game, have the habit of accusing umpires for their failures. Their pressure is high, their level of reaction is undesirable. The problem is that they don’t go to the root cause of rules why it is in the first place there. Unless they educate themselves of the rule, the situation would not change. In most foreign countries, players and coaches enjoy the game, better disciplined. This takes the headache out of us”.

“I know players are important for Institutions, after all they play for them. But at the same time, I feel umpires too be given some push in the area of recruitment. Federation should also have ways and means to support us”

In fact, Raghu is simplifying. Most of the times, umpires are left to mend for themselves to fund their trips; even for the Asia Cup at Kuantan, the Karnataka State Hockey Association came forward to bear Raghu’s expenses.

Take Raghu’s case further. He is in and out of job, as airlines sector is prone all sort of ups and downs. Its KSHA’s Secretary Krishnamurthy who offered him a job in KSHA, of late. “Now am assistant manager in KSHA”, he says.

Raghu gratefully remembers the positive role played by Krishnamurthy, Netherlands Peter Von Reth and Kukoo Walia in his development, which got a boost with Johor Bahru success.

Support from KSHA Officials like Late Shanmugam, Parimal, Christy, Palangappa and others also stood in good stead for this gentleman’s growth. Raghu also fondly recollects former IHF Secretary Jothikumaran, who after seeing him umpiring in the 2003 Sub-Junior Nationals in Bangalore, picked him up for nurturing.

Not many umpires get to officiate in the final of a top level FIH tournament such as Jr. World Cup, which Raghu got recently.

Raghu does not quote any particular umpire as his role model, as he “learns so many things from so many umpires.

His way of learning is, “to keenly observe senior umpires while officiating”

I can this way indebted to senior Indian umpires like shakeel Qureshi, Satinder Sharma, Md. Muneer and V B Singh… from whence I learnt umpiring by watching”

Raghu also relishes informal discussion with players, coaches and collegues during the tournaments. “Everyone contribute to the practical knowledge. In particular, am grateul to Harendera who interacts with me often, with healthy discussions”.

This certified Junior Bharatanatyam dancer will not dance to the tune of intimidating players, has been stubborn and confident in his rulings. PHL III was a case in point, he did not bother strong emotional outburst of a player against his ruling in the Maratha Warriors and Chandigarh Dynamos match. Of course this Grade I umpire is a NCC cadet, expect discipline from others as well, he won’t be cowed down.

This conviction has taken him to heights, will further in future, even as he waits for November for his second Champions Trophy in Australia.

Raghu is just 31, will scale greater heights if his commitment and precision levels are any indications.

PICTURE CAPTION

1. On Duty
2. With collegues
3. Thanking Kukuoo Walia in a function
4. With Peter von Reth
5. Happily married