Umpire Kailash Dayal dies en-route to match

'Kay Dayal' © Travis Pittman

The HKCA is saddened to report the death of Kailish Dayal, who has died after being struck by a vehicle outside his Mid-Levels apartment on the morning of 22nd July 2007. Mr Dayal, better known as "Kay Dayal", was on his way to umpire the final of the HKCA Under-19 league being played at the Po Kong Village Road ground between teams from Little Sai Wan and Pakistan Association when the accident occured.

The 73 year-old Dayal was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital following the accident but he later died from his injuries at 7:30PM.

Kailish Dayal was well known in Hong Kong cricket circles and had been a regular umpire in the domestic cricket competitions since his arrival from Singapore five years ago, where he had also been a prominent umpire. He made a special effort to support junior cricket in Hong Kong and chose to umpire all matches for the Hong Kong Under-19 team in the HKCA Saturday League during the 2006-07 season. He was also a regular umpire in the junior cricket leagues.

Mr Dayal had been blinded in the left eye after being hit by a cricket ball whilst umpiring in a match at Mission Road last year.

It is very sad for he was an amazing gentleman and one who has done a great deal for local cricket. Lal Jayasinghe, Hong Kong Development Coach

An accomplished all-rounder in his day, Kailish Dayal played first class matches for the state of Rajputana in the Indian domestic competitions during the 1950's.

Hong Kong assistant coach, Lal Jayasinghe said "It is very sad for he was an amazing gentleman and one who has done a great deal for local cricket. Whenever we needed an umpire we could always rely on him".

A widower, Kalish Dayal leaves behind a son, now living in Singapore and a daughter, now living in Mumbai, India.