THE 20th biennial convention of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA), which was hosted by the Jamaica Cricket Umpires Association in Jamaica from June 24 to 29 this year, was well attended, as over 120 delegates and observers were present.

These delegates and observers were from Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Windward Islands, and host country, Jamaica.

The convention, which is held once every two years, brings umpires together to discuss cricket laws, playing conditions and any other matter affecting cricket umpiring in the region.

A spokesman from the local association indicated that the convention sets out to promote the development of regional collaboration on all umpiring matters and to standardise the interpretation of cricket laws, notes and regulations in the West Indies, as well as to promote, cultivate and maintain good relationship with all organizations connected with cricket, with players, and with the public, for improvement of the game and the application of its laws.

He indicated that this year’s discussions were on the changes to the laws of cricket as included in the 2000 code, playing conditions of Tests and Limited-Over matches and the training and development of umpires.

Discussions on the new laws and on the playing conditions of matches in the region were geared towards standardising their interpretations so that regional umpires have a common interpretation applied in matches in the region, the spokesman concluded.

During the general council meeting, justice Rudolph Harper of Guyana, who had been with the WICUA since its inauguration in 1969, and its president since 1985, retired.

Also retiring was Ronnie Osbourne of Jamaica who served as Area “A” vice president since 1985. The officers elected for the next two-year term are: Pat Whyte (Antigua and Barbuda), president; Anthony Lalacksingh (Trinidad and Tobago), executive vice president; Randy Butler (Bermuda), Area “A” vice president; Clancy Mack (Antigua and Barbuda), Area “B” vice president; Billy Doctrove (Dominica), Area “C” vice president; Harry Mahabal (Trinidad and Tobago), Area “D” vice president; John R Gayle (Jamaica), secretary; Thomas Wilson (Jamaica), assistant secretary/treasurer; and Douglas Sang Hue (Jamaica), chairman training and examination committee.

St Kitts in the Leeward Islands will host the next convention in 2003.