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Society formed for squash referees
After a slow start, 'the keep fit' sport Squash has made a tremendous impact along the schools and clubs. Schools have taken to the sport and in the process the levels of the game, too has made vast strides with more competition afforded to the juniors.
The Squash Federation was formed in 1981- at the Gymkhana club - with the likes of Wg. Cdr. Noel Fernando, Christo Dias, Milroy de Silva etc. Noel Fernando was the mainspring.

If any sport is to make an impact, then the adjudicators have to maintain improved standards and act without fear or favour. The Referee has to forget loyalties and sacrifice other issues and be totally committed. This should be the objective, be it official or otherwise. There is a dearth of quality referees for the promotion and development of the sport.

Forget about personal and other petty issues. All must rally around for the sake of the sport. The just concluded Junior Nationals at the Tamil Union Squash Complex, proved a success yesterday (Sat. Sept. 20).

The formation of an autonomous body - the Referees Committee by the SLSF, should be lauded until the infrastructure is finalised. It will function under the purview of the SLSF. Rohan Perera, the former President of the SLSF, has been invited to chair the Committee.

The Committee will detail a panel of Refs./Markers for each day's matches. It will strive to make it public 24 hrs. before the day's play and will be displayed on the board.

Any player has the right to entertain reservations pertaining to a Ref. on the day's panel. He could submit such reservations in writing to the Refs'. Desk. According to Sqn. Ldr. Jaliya Jayasekera, Secretary SLSF, the players could make their comments after the match and has the right to make their observations, if there are any, pertaining to the particular referee.

The five-member committee will take action if there are any and take remedial measures (that merits consideration). Their verdict will be final. The panel - Rohan Perera (Chairman), Oliver Guruge, Wg. Cdr. Ranjan Samarasinghe, Col. Tissa Jayasuriya and Mrs. Yasmin Zarook.

Apparently in some quarters they may say the parents are involved in the committee. But an official said, we will refrain from adjudicating be it (coach) or otherwise. The final outcome depends solely on individual brilliance, but not on match fixing he said.
-BW

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