Chch hockey referee umpires final

Press, 13 December 1982, Page 30

Chch hockey referee umpires final

A Christchurch man. Murray Clark, had the privilege of umpiring the hockey final between Pakistan and India at the recent Asian Games in New Delhi. The final was played before a crowd of 45.0(H) which was ecstatic when Mr Clark awarded a penalty-stroke in the fourth minute to give India a 1-0 lead. From that point the traffic was all one way against India, however, and the final score favoured the world champions. Pakistan. 7-1 Mr Clark was one of two invited umpires - the other was an Australian. He also umpired the semi-final betwen Pakistan and Malaysia which Pakistan won. 2-0. The final was expected to be the match of the tournament. Colour television cameras that had been at other venues during the Games were brought in to televise the game live throughout India. 'Unfortunately the game was something of an anticlimax." said Mr Clark. "Soon after half-time with

the Indians down 1-3. and not playing well, many of the spectators started to leave." Fortunately the hockey tournament did not have the problems the soccer tournament experienced with a referee being attacked after one game Thre were only two temporary suspensions given during the whole of the hockey tournament, and Mr Clark said that only onee during the final did lie have to blow his whistle "in anger". A shake of the finger at the offending player was sufficient to calm the situation. The tournament was played on an artificial surface inside an athletic track, and the players were well removed from the crowds. There were also barricades around the perimeter of the field to prevent crowds encroaching on to the playing area. Security throughout the Games was strict and players and officials were issued with passes, as has become the norm at Olympic and Commonwealth Games.