India will have no umpire or technical official at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup for the first time since 1998. Former officials said the absence reflects gaps in international exposure, financial support and career pathways. Veterans urged Hockey India to create a structured system to develop and support elite-level hockey officials.

New Delhi, Aug 7: The absence of an Indian umpire or technical official at the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup after nearly three decades has left former international officials disappointed, with veterans saying the focus should be on a structured pathway.

For the first time since the 1998 World Cup in Utrecht, the tournament, beginning on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium, will not have any Indian umpire or technical official. European countries account for the bulk of the panel.

India has produced only four men's World Cup umpires in the modern era -- Amarjit Singh Bawa (1990), Tarlok Singh Bhullar (1994), Satinder Sharma (2002, 2006, 2010) and R V Raghu Prasad (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2023).

Raghu Prasad, the first Asian umpire to officiate in 200 international matches before retiring last year, said appointments for elite events are based on sustained performances in top-level competitions.