Kukoo Walia to attend FIH unpires meeting in London

Jalandhar, Nov 3 (UNI) Kukoo Walia, Umpire Manager of International Hockey Federation (FIH) and India Hockey Federation (IHF) will attend the FIH umpires Commonwealth meeting to be held in London on November 5 and 6.

He is one of the 12 umpire managers invited to the meeting. Walia, who is also an international grade I umpire, has been attending the FIH umpires meeting for the last six years. He is the only Indian invited to attend the meeting.

Talking about the agenda, Walia said that assessment of the performance of umpires in international competitions would be reviewed. Stress will be to increase development of quality and quantity of the umpire. The meeting will also discuss how they should update their knowledge and physical fitness, said Kukoo Walia who is also Umpires Development Officer in Asia.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the number of international umpires India have, Kukoo said that in the last four years 13 Indians obtained international grade I umpires certificates.

Among them is Satinder Sharma, who has officiated in all major tournaments, including Olympics. ''My aim is that the number should go up to 30,'' said Walia.

India have also produced three women international umpires namely Anupam, Shamshad Begum and Sunita Panth. Sunita Panth of Delhi and Javed Sheikh have been nominated as umpires for the Doha Asian Games.

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