The first ever cricket umpires course in the history of Hungary was held in the capital city Budapest, during the weekend of 24th and 25th January 2009. The level 1 course for umpires was supplied by the ICC and very greatly received by the Hungarian Cricket Association. Tutor Keith Healey travelled from the UK to present and conduct the course to 17 participants, which included five native Hungarians. The venue for the event was the Taj Mahal Indian restaurant in downtown Budapest. The restaurant was partitioned for the two days of tutoring and all 17 students plus Keith were accommodated admirably, only distraction being the incredible aroma of Indian Cuisine flowing from the Taj Mahals kitchens! Very generous host and owner of the Taj Mahal restaurant Lucky Singh commented:
“It was a great pleasure to host the course here at the Taj Mahal restaurant. I think all would agree the course was extremely extensive and was eloquently and superbly presented by Keith Healey. With the new season now on the horizon, it is certain we will be better equipped to handle the many situations that inevitably will arise “.
During both days Lucky kindly offered snacks and drinks on the house! Lucky is also on the Hungarian Cricket Association Management Committee and heavily involved in the organisational day to day running of the HCA.
The course culminated on the Sunday with all 17 participants taking the 75 question exam and all now eagerly await their results from the ICC.’
David Brown Chairman of the HCA wished to comment:
“It never ceases to amaze me what has been achieved in the past two short years that cricket has been established here in Hungary. We are about to enter our third season which promises to be just as successful as the previous two, possibly more so. I feel if all involved in Hungarian Cricket work as a team, then the future of the sport here is secure”.
He thanked Keith Healey for a fantastic course, Lucky Singh for his gracious hosting of the event over the two days and he wished it to be known how grateful all participants of the course and all involved in Hungarian Cricket in general are to the ICC at Lords for granting the first ever umpires course in Hungary. David wished to make the final closing statement:
“It is truly a dream for me that I can now look forward to playing the sport I love in my new homeland. For this honour I can only say that all those involved out here will continue to work tirelessly in promoting the sport to the Hungarian people and our dreams remain as taking cricket into every Hungarian school and the ultimate goal of affiliation of the country into the ICC”.
During the 3 nights Keith Healey spent in the cosmopolitan city of Budapest, he was looked after by Vice-Chairman of the Association Benjamin Lebor. Benjamin a resident of Budapest for the last 10 years supplied Keith with his comfortable accommodation and along with David they both showed Keith a little of the city and its many fine dining establishments. Benjamin commented:
“I found the umpiring course very intensive and also very informative. There was lots of information that I thought I knew but did not know after watching and playing the game for so long. I really believe that this course will bring cricket to another level in Hungary!
This is from someone who had played for 15 years in the UK and ten years later starts playing again in Hungary and was LBW 7 times last season! I hope that this course will help me and everyone else who was given out wrongly because the umpire did not know the rules, a better chance in the years to come. Keith Healey was articulate, charismatic, and funny and his vocabulary and use of words were excellent! I Must say that the exam was tough and to get 80% result after two brain-frying days will be difficult to pass I was exhausted but had a great time in all”.
Hungarian Cricket continues to grow and the native population’s interest is increasing, particularly with the youth, where of course the true future of the sport is held. The HCA is hopeful they will be able to raise the resources for another course later in 2009. There has been much interest in a Level 1 Coaching Course and this would prove useful in training Hungarian natives in the correct techniques of coaching the sport. Hungary has a long way to go to match the achievements of their water polo traditions, but as regards cricket being firmly established in the country, then this is job done!! Anyone wishing to know more about Hungarian Cricket then take a look at the website:
www.hungariancricket.com
Or contact their Chairman David Brown or Vice-Chairman Benjamin Lebor
david@holden-brown.fsnet.co.uk
Benjamin.lebor@crownconsulting.hu
Well David, I took your advice and checked your HCA website. What a great deal you have achieved in such a short space of time.
I wish you and all concerned the very best of luck in moving even further forward in the coming years; it would appear that you have a very willing group of people with whom to work.
I owe a debt of gratitude to both yourself and Benjamin for the wonderful way in which you both looked after me during my stay. I am also flattered by your kind words. It was a pleasure to have had such a willing audience. I must thank the HCA for its invitation to the ICC (Europe) to send a tutor to visit you (and also Graham Cooper for selecting me!) By all accounts, everyone came away from the experience for the better.
Please thank all concerned for their friendliness and desire to learn. I only wish we could have worked at a slightly more gentle pace. I returned home on Monday night in desperate need of a rest; unfortunately, I had to go to work on Tuesday morning!
I look forward to seeing you all again at some stage in the future.
Best wishes,
Keith