For the first time since 1998, no Indian umpire or technical official will feature at the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, highlighting long-standing issues around international exposure and financial security for officials.
The upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, starting on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium, will not feature a single Indian umpire or technical official. This marks the first time since the 1998 World Cup in Utrecht that India has no officiating presence at the tournament, with European officials dominating the panel.
In the modern era, India has produced only four men's World Cup umpires: Amarjit Singh Bawa (1990), Tarlok Singh Bhullar (1994), Satinder Sharma (2002, 2006, 2010), and R.V. Raghu Prasad (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2023). Prasad, who became the first Asian umpire to officiate in 200 international matches before retiring last year, noted that elite FIH appointments rely heavily on consistent performances in top competitions like previous World Cups, the Olympics, and the Pro League.
Despite a sizeable domestic pool, India's international representation remains sparse. Hockey India's list from May 2025 shows a four-tier domestic structure with over 100 men's and 70 women's officials. However, only six Indian men and four women are currently on the FIH umpiring panel—with active men's numbers further reduced by Prasad's retirement—alongside just four men's and two women's FIH technical officials.
Former international umpire Satinder Sharma described the lack of representation as disappointing and urged the federation to provide structured pathways and international exposure for domestic umpires. Sharma suggested that umpires should attend national coaching camps to better understand modern hockey dynamics and bridge the gap with international officiating.
Financial insecurity remains another major barrier for aspiring officials. Bawa, who officiated at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and 1990 Lahore World Cup before retiring in 1994, recalled receiving a daily allowance of just Rs 20, which later rose to Rs 100 during KPS Gill's tenure. Veterans agreed that unlike players, umpires lack salaries, government job incentives, and recognition, forcing officials like Prasad to seek private employment after retirement.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.