By Eddie dos Passos/SHF

“You know you did a good job when nobody remembers you umpired the game”

Perfect Positioning: Singapore umpire Miskarmalia Bte Mohd Ariffin in the right position to make the correct calls during the Singapore International Challenge. - Photo by Eddie dos Passos

Miskarmalia or Missy (as she is more fondly known) recalled a saying when she learned she was handed her international umpire's badge after officiating at the recently concluded Singapore International Hockey Challenge.

Two days after the Challenge she learned of her International Hockey Federation (FIH) promotion where she was upgraded from a national to an international class umpire and at the tender age of 20, making her one of Singapore's youngest international whistle blowers.

Currently in the final year of a diploma course in Performing Arts Management at NAFA, Missy is as keen as ever to pursue her umpire career.

“I wish to pursue a career in the Arts Industry, managing behind the scene in a theater or play or maybe even work at the Esplanade or just managing an event,” she said.

“ To be given a choice to choose between playing and umpiring. I would go for the latter because umpiring gives me a chance to stay involved in the international hockey scene even if I discontinued playing,” she said.

Stunned would be a better word for Missy, upon knowing of her latest sporting accolade but she knows there is still a long road ahead and is realistic of her future before she can climb up to the next level.

“This achievement is still very fresh and new to me. But soon, I must settle down because achieving an international grade is not the end, I'm still young and need to gain more experience from international matches,” she said.

“Exposure is the key and I will have to get as many matches possible to build up my confidence and I will learn from many more to come. I wish to be involved in the Olympics one day, as that will be highest accolade for an umpire, of course,” she said.

She could not believe her ears when she learned that she would be an international umpire and she has indebted her gratitude to a host of people, starting with her parents and the hockey fraternity.

“My parents, their 101% support of my umpire career, then there is Stephanie Martens-Hodges, our Umpire Chairperson (Singapore Hockey Federation) for her constant support and encouragement and of course, I have learnt a lot under my senior and fellow umpires,” she said.

Missy felt too, that the promotion had provided a unique platform for others to follow as she believes it has made her especially strong as a person.

“ Many people would want to see you break and fall, but it is those who always believe in you and your ability that makes it all the worth while,” she said.

“This tournament (SIHC) is a great experience yet again and the international badge is a great achievement for me at my age, this only means that there are many more years to learn, and to achieve further at a higher level,” she said.

“I started playing hockey from the age of 13 and umpiring at 16 because I wanted to understand the game more. I wasn't thinking long term then, but now I have to be a realist and I know it will open many doors and opportunities to gain greater heights in the hockey arena,” she said.

At international level, Missy has umpired Games between Hong Kong and Singapore in a Test Series in 2005, Asian Games qualifiers in 2006 in Kuala Lumpur and the 2006 Four Nations (now renamed the SIHC) and a Test Series between Thailand and Singapore, along with the 2007 SIHC.

Domestically, she has officiated in the 2006/2007 Men's and Women's Premier League including the Women's Premiership final.

You may be wondering if you read right, a women's umpire in a men's game and at Premier League level to boot.

You did read right!! And it is exactly what the doctor ordered for Missy and other umpires of her caliber, irrespective of their gender, as the Umpire's Committee believes that is all part and parcel of developing good, solid and dependable umpires.

Missy agrees with the assessment and is wholly supportive of women officiating men's games.

“Most of the time it's nicer to umpire the men's games because they play at a very fast pace. They capitalize on whatever advantages are being allowed and they do not waste time arguing with me on my decisions,” she said.

“I've learned a lot from the Men's Premier matches and I know I tend to hold the whistle longer, play the advantage better and run extra more. This helps me to the gain experience and confidence during a game,” she said.

Young she maybe but she has proven that age is not a barrier and instead it can be put to good advantage.

After all she understands the significance of the saying at the beginning of this article about not being remembered after a game but more importantly, on getting the job done well.