Ethics in Umpiring

Ethics in umpiring refer to the standards of behavior and values that guide umpires in making fair and just decisions during a sporting event.

Umpires play an important role in ensuring the integrity of the game by making objective and unbiased decisions. They are expected to maintain high ethical standards, which are reflected in their actions and decisions on the field.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) also believes that its Umpires are its front-line in promoting itself and its games and that decisions given not based on ethical behaviour will have a detrimental effect on MSSA as a whole.

One of the key ethical principles that umpires should uphold is fairness. Umpires must make impartial decisions without any bias towards any team or player. They must ensure that all players are treated equally and that the rules of the game are applied consistently.

Another important ethical principle is integrity. Umpires must be honest and transparent in their decision-making process. They must avoid any actions or behaviors that may compromise their impartiality, such as accepting bribes or showing favoritism towards certain players or teams.

Respect is also a key ethical principle that umpires must uphold. They must treat all players, coaches, and officials with respect and dignity. Umpires should not tolerate any abusive language or behaviour from players or coaches, and must maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times.

In addition to these ethical principles, umpires must also be knowledgeable about the rules of the game and must have the necessary skills and experience to make sound decisions. They must be able to communicate effectively with players, coaches, and other officials, and must be willing to seek assistance or advice when necessary.

Finally, umpires must also be accountable for their decisions and actions on the field. They must be willing to admit their mistakes and take responsibility for any errors they make. This helps to maintain the integrity of the game and ensures that players and coaches have confidence in the umpiring process.

In conclusion, ethics in umpiring are essential to maintaining the integrity of the game. Umpires must uphold the principles of fairness, integrity, respect, knowledge, and accountability to ensure that all players are treated equally and that the rules of the game are applied consistently.

MSSA's umpiring course - 19 January 2019.

Jason Batzofin (foreground) seen seated with other dignatories at IESF's 10th World Championships is MSSA's Executive Officer in charge of umpiring.

One of the most important aspects of a well run championship is the consistency and standard of umpiring.

Umpiring affects every aspect of a championship, and since Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is highly cognisant of such, MSSA shall be holding a number of umpires' courses during 2018.

Such umpiring courses around the country shall ensure that umpires are certified and are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities.

It is important to also note that MSSA will only consider Registered Players who are certified as National Umpires for upward advancement apropos being recommended for training as an international referee by International Esports Federation (IESF).

The first such course shall be done as follows:

Date: 19 January 2019
Time: 9H00 - 18H00
Cost: R600.00 per Registered Player if not a National Squad member, R400.00 per Registered Player if a member of a National Squad.
Venue: Old Edwardian Society, 9 11th Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg
RSVP: 14 January 2019

The cost will include morning and afternoon tea, and lunch.

The course shall include:

* Ethics
* Background to MSSA's systems
* Roles of the different umpires
* Entry
* Basic rules to the games
* Pairings
* Data capturing of results
* How results are further used

At the end, a test will be given, and those that pass will be accredited as umpires.

Any Registered Player who is 18 or older may register for such course through their member club.

For additional information, please contact mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com 

Also read:

• MSSA's umpiring course - 2 March 2019.

Match-fixing - why does it happen?

There is yet again an issue of match-fixing in cricket.

On SABC TV an announcer questioned why athletes get involved in such and questioned if the athletes are not loyal enough to South Africa.
In my opinion, the question of loyalty is just a little naive.
I believe that the issue is much deeper than what many people think.
In essence, 


According to Wikipedia, "In organized sports, match fixing occurs as a match is played to a completely or partially pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. There is a variety of reasons for this, but the most common is in exchange for a payoff from gamblers. Players might also intentionally perform poorly to get an advantage in the future, such as a better draft pick, or an easier opponent in a playoff. A player might also play poorly to rig a handicap system.

Match fixing, when motivated by gambling, requires contacts (and normally money transfers) between gamblers, players, team officials, and/or referees. These contacts and transfer can sometimes be found, and lead to prosecution, by law or by the sports league(s). In contrast, losing for future advantages is internal to the team and very hard to prove. Often, substitutions made by the coach designed to deliberately increase the team's chances of losing (frequently by having one or more key players sit out, often using minimal or phantom injuries as a public excuse for doing this), rather than ordering the players actually on the field to intentionally underperform, were cited as the main factor in cases where this has been alleged.

Match fixing generally refers to fixing the final result of the game. Another form of match fixing, known as spot fixing, involves fixing small events within a match which can be gambled upon, but which are unlikely to prove decisive in determining the final result of the game."

In essence, it has everything to do with ethics, or the lack of the same.

An athlete who has ethics, will compete and only aim at a fair return. Such an athlete will not even consider taking more than his/her fair share.