GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The first Cricket South Africa first-class panel umpire who emerged from South Western Districts, Faizel Samsoodien, passed away in Mossel Bay on Saturday 23 July.
He was 63.
Samsoodien, who was born in Johannesburg, moved to Mossel Bay in the mid-1990s where he was employed at PetroSA and became involved in umpiring when he was discovered by the late Wilf Diedericks, a former international umpire.
Samsoodien's breakthrough as an umpire came in 2010 when he officiated at the 2010 ICC Women's Cricket Challenge, a limited overs tournament that was hosted in October. Between 2010 and 2017 he officiated at 30 first-class, 26 List A and 16 T20 matches.
In a press statement earlier this week, SWD Cricket said Samsoodien was actively involved as a member of the executive committee of the SWD Cricket Umpires Association where he served in many positions, including that of chairman. At the time of his passing, he was the training co-ordinator of the association.
Among the many former colleagues and players who paid tribute to him on various social media platforms was Jean Neethling, a former chairman of the SWD Cricket Umpires Association.
"This is such shocking and sad news. Faizel was a legend in cricket circles. A true gentleman. I went to countless tournaments with him. We spent countless meetings together. Faizel was always in control of any situation.
"He was our first first-class umpire. He did great things for the SWD Cricket Umpires Association as training co-ordinator and chairperson. He was also a true and loyal friend. We will miss him greatly. RIP my old friend," Neethling posted.
In his tribute, president of SWD Cricket Rudy Claassen said, "On behalf of the cricket fraternity of the SWD I would like to honour his contribution towards SWD Cricket. Our heartfelt condolences to the Samsoodien family. He will surely be missed."
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