Koertzen wants to groom young umpires

Dubai:

All set to retire next month, South Africa's veteran cricket umpire Rudy Koertzen says he would
not leave the game completely and work towards grooming young officials.

"I'm still very passionate about the game and I hope that I can somehow continue to work in umpiring, perhaps working with Cricket South Africa to bring young umpires through the system," he said.

Koertzen said his decision to call it quits is based on the need to spend more time with his family.

"I just woke up one morning and realised that I was ready to stop umpiring and travelling and spend time at home
with my wife and kids," Koertzen said in an interview with the ICC's radio show.

The veteran umpire has an umpiring career which spans over 18 years. By July, he would have umpired in a path-breaking 108 Tests, a record 209 ODIs and 14 T20s.

The 61-year-old said that he will miss his colleagues.

"I've enjoyed umpiring all over the world and one of my favourite people to officiate with was the late David Shepherd. Of the current panel, I particularly enjoy standing with Steve Davis. Steve is a great umpire and a really nice
man to be with on and off the field," he said.