International umpire Qureshi retires

Jalandhar, Nov 3 (UNI) International umpire Shakeel Ahmed Qureshi today called it a day after officiating in 60 international matches including the Senior National Hockey Championships since 1991 and other major domestic tournaments.

The State Bank of India official at Bhopal made his announced his retirement on the final day of the Dainik Bhaksar-Tracer 62nd National Hockey Championship at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here today.

Known for his firm but fair judgements, Qureshi got his maiden international assignment in the Indira Gandhi International Gold Cup in Delhi in 1990. His other major international assignments were Champions Trophy in Berlin in 1995 and Chennai in 1996, Asia Cup in 1993 in Hiroshima, 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Junior World Cup in 07 in England, the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Recipient of the Vishwamitra Award from Madhya Pradesh Government in 1995, Qureshi termed his Champions Trophy performance in Berlin in 1995 as the most cherished one as ''I became the FIH international grade I umpire. However, the Junior World Cup in England was the one I would like to forget as Egypt played rough game,'' he said.

Qureshi who had played for Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh as centre-half in six nationals, said umpiring has become more tough on the artificial turf.

''More fitness and thorough knowledge of the interpretation of the rules have become more the basic requirements. Our young Raghu Nath and Javed Sheikh are most talented one among the new crop of Indian umpires,'' said Qureshi after he was honoured by the Punjab Hockey Association.

Qureshi was presented a cheque of Rs 11,000 by Additional Director General of Police JP Virdi.

Asked about his future plans, Qureshi said his application for umpires manager had been accepted by the International Hockey Federation. He is expecting his first assignment in an Asian country very soon.

UNI XC PM VC1346