No Indian umpire at Hockey WC after 28 years, veterans say focus should be on structured pathway
India will have no umpires or technical officials at the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, marking a 28-year low. Veterans are calling for a more structured pathway to improve the consistency and international standing of Indian officials.
Why it matters
The absence highlights a decline in India's representation in international sports officiating, prompting a debate on the need for better training and development programs.
The absence of an Indian umpire or technical official at the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup after nearly three decades has left former international officials disappointed, with veterans saying the focus should be on a structured pathway.
For the first time since the 1998 World Cup in Utrecht, the tournament, beginning on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium, will not have any Indian umpire or technical official. European countries account for the bulk of the panel.
India has produced only four men's World Cup umpires in the modern era — Amarjit Singh Bawa (1990), Tarlok Singh Bhullar (1994), Satinder Sharma (2002, 2006, 2010) and R.V. Raghu Prasad (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2023).
Raghu Prasad, the first Asian umpire to officiate in 200 international matches before retiring last year, said appointments for elite events are based on sustained performances in top-level competitions.
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