Hockey umpire Anbananthan sticks to reliable routine ahead of his second World Cup

PETALING JAYA: Patience and peak physical conditioning will be key for Malaysian hockey umpire Anbananthan Rawi (pic), who has been selected to officiate his second World Cup in Holland and Belgium from Aug 15-30.

It takes serious preparation to officiate at the highest level while having to manage players running on adrenaline, but Anbananthan will draw confidence from his debut World Cup assignment at the 2023 edition in India.

The 39-year-old said it’s crucial that an umpire stays emotionally composed while covering up to eight kilometres during a match.

“Every match demands the same commitment and professionalism, regardless of whether it’s a regular match or high-level,” said Anbananthan.

“We have to be emotionally stable. Players will come up to our faces and scream sometimes, but we have to control our emotions. We can’t take anything personally on the field.

“Staying physically fit is just as important as we cover a large distance. The pace is intense as it’s almost as high as the athletes.”

The Penangite added that when officiating at a world-class event, where language barriers can occur, the use of English within teams is getting more common.

“Language on the field is important. English is common for most players, but sometimes certain teams have players who find it difficult.”

With 18 years of officiating experience, Anbananthan said it was a meaningful achievement to be assigned his second World Cup.

“I feel very lucky and proud to be representing Malaysia at the World Cup. This is my second time and I’m the only Malaysian selected.

“My experience has taught me the meaning of discipline, emotional stability, and integrity in decision making,” he said.

Last February, Anbananthan reached a milestone in his career after receiving his Golden Whistle, given to umpires who have officiated 100 international senior matches.

Anbananthan was the fourth Malaysian umpire to officiate at a World Cup, following in the footsteps of Eric Koh (2018), Amarjit Singh (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010), and Datuk G. Vijayananthan (1975).