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Umpires keep their eyes peeled for shots
Out: An umpire calls the shots during the semifinal of the BCA Indonesia Open 2014 on Saturday
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Out: An umpire calls the shots during the semifinal of the BCA Indonesia Open 2014 on Saturday. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama) (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
Out: An umpire calls the shots during the semifinal of the BCA Indonesia Open 2014 on Saturday. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
Amid the tight matches between world-class shuttlers and cheering spectators, umpires have to remain focused and stay alert to ensure that the games run smoothly without any trouble.
Quite often, they become the targets of complaints by shuttlers when they are deemed to have made unfair decisions.
Budi Santosa, coordinator for umpires at the tournament, said no out-of-the-ordinary disputes had occurred at the ongoing BCA Indonesian Open 2014.
The players, he said, restrain themselves from arguing against umpires' decisions. However, disputes may rear up after the game is over, as at times happens.
'Up until now, we have received only regular complaints during the game, especially about 'in' and 'out' decisions for the shuttlecocks,' he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Zoom-ins by several cameras, which are positioned near every line judge, are used to minimize disputes over line calls. The cameras have been installed particularly on parts of the court away from the linesmen's positions.
Thirteen umpires, comprising eight foreigners and five locals, have been assigned during the six-day tournament, which will end on Sunday. They are headed by a referee team, which comprise two foreigners from France and Sri Lanka, as well as one Indonesian.There are also 48 Indonesian line judges, some of whom come from outside Jakarta.
'We don't have any problem in communicating with each other, because we always use English as the standard language for work,' Budi said.
Budi also said that the basic management of reviews and evaluations was done at routine meetings, which were held before the tournament began in the morning, as well as every 45 minutes before each game started and at the end of the day.
He acknowledged that special meetings would also be held toward the finals, due to the increasing level of tension brought about by the pressure players were under to win the tournament.
'We also maintain our regulations and monitor every possibility of internal violations. However, we haven't seen any and we hope each of our members upholds the rules,' he added.
Budi was convinced that the tight schedules and high-level of stress during their assignments had not affected the health and fitness of his colleagues.
'We don't have any complaints or worries in our tasks because we love badminton and enjoy it. Most of us also routinely play the sport as a hobby,' he said.
Separately, Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) secretary-general Anton Subowo said local umpires were trained internationally and regionally, especially in Makassar, South Sulawesi. He said the PBSI had decided to train umpires intensely in the region, where basic and advanced skills of the profession were taught through a specific course.
'Most of our umpires come from Makassar, so we conduct a lot of training there. However, we would like more umpires from provinces like Papua, where badminton athletes are rare. It is because we want to see people from such provinces contribute more to the sport,' he told the Post. (gda)
