Raghu Prasad R V, A Referee Above Ranks

Storyline: In field hockey, whom do you remember at hearing the word, referee? I have only one answer: Raghu Prasad R V, a field hockey umpire who has officiated in more than 100 Senior International games.

A few weeks ago I was getting a big braying from life’s insecurities and hallucinations. A foible peep into the outdoor’s ground and all I had realized is the dignity and designation that’s associated with playing a sport and leaving the field knackered. As I glanced the field, I found my eyes lay on one particular man, running through the pitch and ensuring that the game is played in the best spirits … the referee. The game is Field Hockey.

Raghu Prasad (thefansofhockey.com)

I then realized how daft I was as a brush. On that note, dear readers, I would like to ask you one question: Whom do you remember at the sight of hearing the word referee? Pierluigi Collina? Nigel Owens? Richard Kettleborough? Simon Taufel? Well, if you would put me the same question like I did, I have only one answer: Raghu Prasad R V, a field Hockey umpire who has, till date, officiated in more than 100 Senior International games.

Umpiring, or say refereeing, is an impeccable surge of emotion one can hardly imagine. A referee should make no bones about any decision on the field, and the work surely demands knack and dexterity of supreme class. Yet, we remember one who sticks the ball into the net (player) more than the one who whistles its confirmation (referee).

The respect, this hard earned respect of being the most loyal personnel on the field is hardly ever encouraged nor put forth before public. This, today, is one of the reasons I am writing about this gentleman.

Chris Mitchell once said: “People say sports teach character, but that’s not true. Sports reveal character and then the word of God can come into life.” Indeed, one can find in Raghu humility, patience, character and, above all, sportsmanship. His humility lies in meeting his peers and contemporaries with dignity; and his patience can be best seen in keeping a great eye on the poster man and the pushers in the field of play. Raghu’s tough character, and true sportsmanship, is found in the uprightness of approaching the game–staying neutral and fair and taking humongous decisions, even if they mean a penalty corner has to be given against his national team, India.

Courtesy: thebetterindia.com

Tony Schwart once said: “Let go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace paradox, rather than choose up sides. The ultimate challenge is to accept ourselves exactly as we are, but never stop trying to learn and grow.” Raghu’s openness and relaxed readiness to adapt to the challenges and demands of the game are certainly things to be told big and clear.

Possessing a smile full of subtle charm and humility, Raghu goes about the business by donning the caps as International Referee and as an Assistant Manager of the Karnataka State Hockey Association, Bengaluru, India.

Shaun Hick once said: “You need to spend time crawling alone through shadows to truly appreciate what it is to stand in the sun.” Well, after crawling through shadows and dark clouds, Raghu found light on one fine day in 2009. The 16^th of July is a sacred day in the circles of Indian Hockey. In the year 1968, on the same date, a humble genius and one of the finest to have ever played the game, Dhanraj Pillay, was born. And, copy the date to 2009, our hero with the whistle, Raghu, was included in the FIH World Development Panel. That means he is eligible to officiate in the Olympics and in World Cup matches.

Isn’t that a tortoise rise from the slumber towards the sun and glory in career? Isn’t that a tale for us to be inspired by?

From our observation and life we can say umpiring requires ultimate patience and knowledge of the game. When asked about how he manages the on-field stress in an interview, he said:

“The basic of umpiring has to be done brilliantly in every match we officiate, and with every team we work. Nobody is perfect, and, it’s ok, there are few things like this, which have to be kept in our minds. Umpires on the field hardly get a time to think, for they are left with nothing but to act according to the situation on field within the frame of rules and regulations. We will never give decisions on blank and guessed notes. Our team (umpires team) which is known as the third team on field will start our plans before the game. We discuss and share our ideas way before officiating in every game and ensure that we are discharging our duties to the best as per the agreements.”

Courtesy: sportskeeda.com

However, like us, they are human beings;and, like us, they make mistakes, too. For example, the members of the third team on the field may mistake in declaring the ball as part of the play, giving a penalty corner. For a few, at that point of time, all hope of discreet reticence may be ripped to shreds, but, for Raghu, it doesn’t. Instead, every curve of Raghu’s features expresses a fine observation and knack in understanding the situation and communicating with his fellow officials and the TV umpire, if only to avoid acrimony and harsh truculence.

Yet, this is a profession that hardly hogs the limelight. When asked how he deals with this scenario on an international front, he said: “Even though this umpiring field doesn’t give you any awards, rewards, secured life to be with it, few people do umpiring only because of their involvement and love towards the game. In this profession one need to have a tough skin. This profession does have the respect, which has to be gained and earned with dedication, simplicity and definitely it is a challenging job.”

As a columnist, I would like to pause and produce magic from my pen … but, at the same time, I would want this humble genius, Raghu Prasad R V, to achieve immortal heights. I also wish my national hockey team to stand on the Olympic podium one fine day soon.

Dear august readers, please understand, I will be the first to lose the argument if it means standing against you. I hope you will notice me and I will never lose you all, my breath, and my love for Hockey.

Lastly, I wish Raghu will get lapped in soft music of adulation and will be a magnanimous difference to the adorable and admirable niceties of the game we all love and live, Hockey.