Coach Canvasses Regular Training For Cricket Umpires

Sean Phillips, Coach of Ibeju-Lekki Cricket Club (ILCC) of Lagos, has called for regular training for cricket umpires to reduce the level of human errors in officiating.

Phillips told newsmen weekend last in Lagos that such training would further enhance the development of the sport in the country.

“Umpires should be regularly updated on the rules of cricket to minimise the human errors in officiating,’’ the South African said.

He pledged that the team would work harder to ensure victory at the third edition of the Guaranty Trust Assurance (GTA) 20-20 Cricket Championship on May 9.

Phillips said his team would win the tournament to compensate for the loss of the Express Discount Ltd. (EDL) Knockout Cricket Tournament on April 25 in Lagos.

The ILCC, winners of the 2009 and 2010 Iris Smart Technologies-sponsored Club Cricket Committee (CCC) league, lost to Government College Ibadan Cricket Club (GCICC) by 23 runs.

Mr Bayo Balogun, the sponsor of ILCC and Chairman, Ibeju–Lekki Local Government Council, Bayo Balogun, pledged his continued support for the club to ensure the development of cricket in the area.

“By sponsoring cricket, we are trying to de-emphasise the attention on football as if it is the only sport that can sustain the players,’’ Balogun said.