Umpires Council in deep trouble

President of the Guyana Umpires’ Council Mr. Justice Rudolph Harper has expressed disenchantment with the state of umpiring here.

He says that umpires are being lured away from matches which are played under the auspices of the Guyana Cricket Board of Control by the money which they receive for standing in soft ball and third division matches.

He says that money seems to be the primary consideration for most umpires, and because there seems to be no solution with the framework of the council, the body is in danger of collapsing.

He says a convention which was held recently was poorly attended and that is a frightening indication of things to come.

Justice Harper says he is hoping that a solution could be found quickly and that good sense will prevail.

He is hoping that his Council will be able to attract school teachers as umpires and is looking forward for the co-operation of the Guyana Teachers’ Union in this regard.

Some umpires have suggested that the Guyana Cricket Board of Control should augment the present stipend which they get at the moment and the Council should itself hold fund-raisers so that they may have a decent fee.

At present umpires are paid sixteen, twelve and seven dollars a day for First, Intermediate and Second division games respectively, while an umpire could earn as much as fifty dollars for a Sunday morning softball match.