In an effort to get officials in every hub officiate their own matches, twenty-two (22) participants from two zones of the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region Cricket Association benefitted from a 2-day Scoring and Umpiring Refresher Course at the Akwamuman SHS conference Hall.
Fully funded by the Ghana Cricket Association (GCA) to further enlighten Coaches of the gentleman’s game in one of the hubs, started with Umpiring on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
Participants were taken through basics which include, measurements of the pitch, umpiring and signals, ways of dismissals, the stance guard and grip in batting, the pace, seam and spin in bowling as well as fielding positions.
Once umpires work together with scorers to ensure details of matches are accurately recorded, day 2 saw the GCA facilitator, Prince Eugene King take 16 participants through; the first steps in scoring, accepting, acknowledging, recording and checking.
The boundary runs, no balls, dot balls, wide balls, short runs, penalty runs, byes, leg byes among other details were duly taught at the course to the understanding of the participants. What you do at the end of every over, closing a batters’ account and fall of wickets was not left out.
The coaches, some who attended on their own due to the passion of the game, used the opportunity to ask and understand other laws of the game at the course.
Some Participants who spoke to TalksenseSports, expressed their delight and opportunity to learn more in the game.
“It is a very great course, it has given us a lot of insight, especially as the new coaches and we have really benefitted from it. It has been interesting and we have been enlightened with new terminologies. Glad to be here and we will impact it into our kids. We are sure of the ability to umpire and score a game”
Vice Chairman of the Eastern Region Cricket Association, Foster Abonu called on the Ghana Cricket Association to frequent these courses.
“It has been an interesting workshop organized by GCA. Participants were happy and have learnt a lot. We hope that they will go back and practice well, so they will be conversant with the scoring and umpiring. We appeal to GCA to let this type of workshop be rampant, to keep us in shape, so that we may not forget some of the rules governing the game. We hope more games will be organize as well, to enhance the skills of the players, for the betterment of Cricket.”
Facilitator, Prince Eugene King elaborated the essence of the course and other plans of the Ghana Cricket Association.
“I think the program was very timely and very useful in the sense that, as the game progresses, we expect each and every team to have their own scorers. Because they need to have records of their various players, to assess their performances (batting, bowling and fielding). And particularly, I think every individual in Cricket, players, coaches and all should know about the umpires’ signals and the scoring.”
“We are expected to do this across the country, especially at the various hubs. It started at Ho, we will be in Obuasi as well, just to ensure all Cricket playing areas have efficient umpires and scorers.” He noted.
The medium was used to also present some plastic equipment to the Akwamuman SHS Headmaster, while other coaches received wooden bats to practice for the ongoing league.
The refresher course came at the right time, as the Eastern Region Cricket Association is currently having their 2023 edition of the Boys U-19 T20 Community league at the Akwamuman SHS Park.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
