Karnataka’s R.V. Raghu Prasad will be one of two hockey umpires from India to officiate at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Raghu, who had officiated at the 2012 London Olympics, will become one of only two umpires from the country to have been part of two Olympics, alongside Satinder Sharma (2004 Athens & 2008 Beijing).
“I am very happy,” said an elated Raghu on Wednesday. “I missed the bus for Rio (2016). But I did not lose hope. I worked very hard towards this goal. I would say it is down to my dedication.”
A veteran of 150 international matches, the 41-year-old said that even umpiring was a competitive business.
“Last year I was at the World Cup. This year I did the Pro League. I had to be at my best because only then will the officials take notice. You cannot be anything else other than the best to go to the Olympics. So it is a tough selection process.”
First for India
It will also be the first time that India will have two umpires at the Games with Javed Shaikh being the other.
“Javed and I started umpiring together. It feels very nice for the both of us to go. I want to thank everybody, my local association and others. I quit my airlines job (Go Air) to take up umpiring. I am happy that I have now achieved this distinction.”
