Delhi: It is certain that cricket will progress only when good quality umpires are available for the matches. One mistake of the umpire can not only change the decision of the match but can also end the cricket career of the batsman/bowler associated with that ball. Therefore, ICC continuously tries to make the new umpires better and in this effort ICC itself also helps those umpires.

In this series, ICC recently organized 'ICC Umpire Level 2 Global Workforce Training' in Manila and along with it started a new 'ICC Umpire Level 2 Course'. Its regional start was 'East Asia-Pacific'. This is the highest level of umpire education and accreditation for umpires under the ICC's 'Training and Education Framework' and obviously it will also take every new and modern effort that is necessary.

'Master Educators' selected from all five ICC regions participated in the 'ICC Umpire Level 2 Global Workforce Training' in Manila, Philippines. The four-day program was attended by 20 delegates from 13 countries, including both 'Full' and 'Associate' member states of the ICC. This training has prepared a global workforce that will now implement the new 'Level 2' program at the same level and method in different member countries. In this, special attention has been paid to the methods of teaching the course, information about what to study and evaluation of the level.

The 'ICC Umpire Level 2 Course' is a continuation of the 'Foundation' and 'Level 1' umpiring courses in the ICC's existing umpire level system. This will be a great opportunity for the umpires to become better and progress in the system itself and if this happens then international cricket will automatically improve. The ICC continues to strive to improve umpiring standards across member countries and this course will help the ICC's network of regional 'Master Educators' help in this.

Note, the first regional 'Level 2 course' started from October 31 not in any big cricket country, but in Manila, in which 18 umpires from 8 ICC member countries are participating. ICC General Manager Development, Will Glenwright says. 'The launch of the ICC Umpire Level 2 Course is a great effort to strengthen the pathway for match officials around the world. This will ensure that better and uniform umpire training and education is available in all our member countries, which will ultimately help in improving international cricket.

On the other hand, Langton Russere, Master Educator of the ICC Umpire Level 2 Course and International Umpire, said, 'During my international umpire career, I have learned that being a good umpire does not just mean knowing cricket law, but also having the courage, understanding and talent to make the right decisions under pressure. The launch of the 'ICC Umpire Level 2 Course' is a significant step forward in our efforts to raise umpiring standards at the global level.

For any current umpire, there is also an opportunity to share their experience and what they know with the next generation of umpires, especially umpires from Associate Member countries. Through this programme, we are not just training umpires, we are creating a stronger, more confident and talented umpiring workforce for the future of cricket.

Let us tell you that under the current Global Training and Education Program of ICC, more than 50 thousand courses have been completed so far. Through this, those who want to make a career as coaching, umpiring and pitch curator in ICC member countries around the world are getting opportunities to learn and progress. Talking about umpiring alone, more than 16 thousand people have qualified under the existing Foundation, Level 1 and Tutor Level 1 programmes.

Now the introduction of 'ICC Umpire Level 2 Course' will take this effort forward and will be the highest level of umpire education and accreditation. For those who are interested in such careers, more ways are being created to become better. The current ICC Umpire Level 2 Master Educators are:

from Africa: David Odhiambo, Gerhard Pienaar, Langton Russere, Thomas Mukorossi

From America: Gregory Braithwaite, Peter Nero, Jacqueline Williams, Ryan King, Vijaya Malla

From Asia: Sundaram Ravi, Vrinda Ghanshyam Rathi, Ghazi Ashraful Afsar Sohail

From East Asia-Pacific: Dr. Muhammad Qureshi, Tony Gillis, Suresh Subramanian, Claire Polosak

from Europe: Adrian Van Den Dries, Sue Redfern, Paul Baldwin, Mark Hawthorne