Guyanese cricket umpire to represent Canada in WICUA Exchange Programme

Guyanese-born umpire Daniel Singh, who now resides in Canada, is the latest candidate who will soon be participating in the revived and much vaunted West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) Exchange Programme.

Singh’s participation was approved by the Executive Committee of the Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA) and he will be officiating in matches in his home country during the period March 26 to April 8.

A fully qualified WICUA umpire as of 2011, while living in the British Virgin Islands, Singh has also completed the Level Three Cricket Canada examinations, since migrating to North America in 2021. Since then, he has been an active member of the CCUA, as well as the Toronto Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (TCU&SA).

President of the CCUA, Azad Khan, who is also Secretary of the WICUA, made the announcement about Singh’s participation at the recently held awards ceremony hosted by the CCUA. Speaking at the ceremony, Khan extended unreserved congratulations to Singh and wished him well during the upcoming assignment in Guyana.

“I was happy to be one of the first persons who interacted with Singh since he came to Canada and welcomed him to the membership of the CCUA,” Khan pointed out. “I am confident that he will bring great respect to our association as he represents us in Guyana while officiating in matches there.”

One of the objectives of the CCUA is to develop, build upon and maintain close collaborative working relationships with cricket governing bodies and other umpire and scorer associations, both within Canada and overseas.

“So, as an Executive Committee, we are pleased that Singh has accepted the challenge and opportunity to help fulfill this mission, as he will be our first representative to participate in the WICUA Exchange Programme,” added the CCUA President.

Khan also expressed appreciation to President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Bissoondyal Singh, and President of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC), Dawchan Nagasar, for their assistance with supporting the participation of Singh in the schedule for upcoming matches in Guyana.

President of the WICUA, Vivian Johnson, who also attended the CCUA awards ceremony, congratulated Singh and thanked him for his willingness to be part of the programme. He explained that the WICUA does not have the funds required to cover the full cost of the programme, adding that a significant portion of the expenses is borne by each umpire.

“So this is a significant individual sacrifice and we thank all the umpires who have represented their respective countries as part of the programme thus far,” said Johnson.

Prior to migrating, Singh also worked as a journalist at the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), publishers of the Guyana Chronicle.

Another CCUA member, Sush Mahalanobis, will also be participating in the programme at a date to be announced, also likely in Guyana.

This Exchange Programme was conceptualized by the WICUA to afford the opportunity for its umpires visit and officiate in matches in other countries, while also sharing in and experiencing the diverse cultures throughout its member territories.

(Frederick Halley)