Sogavson and Waskar included in European umpiring panel

Chanan Sogavson and Raymond Waskar have been included on the 2012 European umpiring panel, following their successful assessment by European umpiring tutor Ray Holyer over the summer.

Abraham Penkar, who also successfully passed the assessment, was omitted from the panel for the time being, whilst Naor Gudker, easily Israel's most experienced international umpire, with over 10 years of experience on the European scene where he was highly respected, and the winner of a prestigious local award for his umpiring achievements, has also been left out to make way for the two new comers, who are expected to officiate in European tournaments this coming summer.

Sogavson and Waskar, both graduates of a Level 1a course run by the Israel Cricket Association early in the year, have been regular umpires on the domestic scene over recent years, and officiated in the 2009 Maccabiah Games. Both are still actively playing as well; Sogavson for Lod CC and Waskar for Lions Be'er Sheva. Waskar's sons, Ronen and Shifron, have both represented Israel at youth level, with Shifron having made his made his senior team debut this year as well.

The ICA plans another 1a umpiring course for 2012, aimed at both improving the standard of local umpires and giving more umpires the opportunity to progress on to the European panel.