Passion for cricket: Meet two umpires who are conducting matches across rural Odisha for last 17 years for free

Cricket is their passion and they are ready to do anything for the sake of their passion and the beloved game. Meet Jayanta Kumar Das and Sanjib Kumar Behera, two rural umpires from Nabapatna in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district.

Both the bosom friends, who are 48-years of age, have been conducting cricket matches mostly in rural areas across Odisha and even outside the State round the year for the last 17 years.

However, cricket crazy fans will be stunned to know that they are refusing to receive a single penny from the organisers.

“Cricket is our passion and not profession. Hence, we are conducting matches mostly in the rural areas across the State and even outside the State round the year without taking any money,” said Jayant.

“We have our small personal business and we are able to manage our family from its income. Our life philosophy is not to earn money by umpiring in matches. The game is our passion and we enjoy a lot by getting involved in the game. Our motto is to serve our beloved game,” said Sanjib who is not yet married.

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“We love to watch cricket matches. However, we were worried over the poor standard of umpiring mostly in rural areas. Hence, we decided to conduct matches in the rural areas in a smooth manner by turning umpires. We feel our self as the members of the organising club and find a lot of pleasure by trying to conduct the matches in a smooth manner. It’s not that we are very rich and we didn’t require any money. We are managing some earning from other sources and the day we will feel that we need money from umpiring for our survival, we will stop umpiring,” he added.

Jayanta Das & Sanjib Behera

Umpiring journey of both Jayant and Sanjib started when they were college students. Though they have not got any formal training in umpiring, they learnt the trade from their school teacher who used to play the role of an umpire in their village tournament. They developed their art of umpiring further by watching lots of matches in the television.

Both the umpires enjoy full support from their family members. “My wife and children cooperate us a lot to pursue our passion. Without their support, we could not have come thus far to serve our beloved game,” said Jayant.

Umpiring is often a thankless job. Good umpiring is seldom praised. However, a small error of an umpire invites lots of criticism.

In response Sanjib said, “To err is human. We admit whenever we commit any mistakes. However, when we don’t have any mistakes, we never care any criticism. We perform our job with an utmost neutral mindset."

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Many State level cricketers have played under Jayant and Sanjib during the start of their career. While some of those cricketers still remember and respect them, some others also underestimate them. However, they don’t crave for any respect recognition and love to pursue their passion with utmost dedication.

“We are thankful to God that we are fit and fine and we are also getting some income to run our family. We will continue to serve our beloved game as long as our body and mind permit. Rural organisers can’t always bring BCCI and State level umpires to conduct matches. Under the circumstances, we have the onus to conduct matches. Cricket is helping rural youth in many ways to keep their fitness and have career opportunities in many ways. We are really proud to offer our utility service in rural pockets,” both said in unison.