Hockey India appoints CEO – almost secretly

In the recent Bhopal National Championship, we saw a foreign women seen arranging the new Cups, running here and there, organizing things / matters. First, we thought she must be from an event management company, but we were told she is Hockey India’s Chief Executive Officer. Her name is Elena Norman from Australia, same person who was active during the FIH World Cup.

So, Elena Norman is Indian hockey’s first CEO.

For those who hoped to see a foreign coach in Bhopal, believing in the hype created by Hockey India in this respect, a foreigner as CEO come as a surprise.

Hockey India is normally better at communication; and at the same time like all those who understand importance of communication, it is also good at selective communication.

It has a habit sending press release when team wins, and forgets if loses. You did not get any press release on the first two matches of Indian women in Dublin, but we got one the moment the team makes it to Quarters. It gives an impression, victories are theirs, defeats are not.

So, Hockey India has acquired a CEO, which you and I simply don’t know.

There is no official communication so far from Hockey India.

Now the basic questions.

When was the post advertised, what are the terms and conditions, what are the minimum qualifications and experience expected, what are the delivery targets, what is the salary, what is the tenure etc?

Appointment of professional CEO must rank the first of the professional steps any professional organization is expected to take. no organization is expected to take a wrong step even at this — as Hockey India seemed to have indulged in.

We have seen world over Federations advertise, screen and announce such posts. Mostly, their advertisements appear on the FIH’s official website. Against this background, we fail to understand why the Hockey India, a sole and soul FIH’s baby, chose to act differently and secretly.

Whenever CEO changes, the FIH sends communication with the photo and professional profile of the selected person. Then why doesn’t its surrogate baby, HI, do the same routine?

India defies logic, and that is why despite spending four times more than most expensive of hockey countries, it scores blank on top ticket tournaments.

It is unfortunate prospective candidates in India were denied a chance to apply and compete. Due to this secrecy Indian prospects were not given a level playing field.

How nice it would have been, how professional it would have been had Hockey India convened a press meet, introduced its CEO mejestically, and let the candidate speak about her vision in a few words at least. This would have been a great start to a much-need functionary.

There is absolutely no need to appoint a CEO secretly to a organization that is declared Public Office’ by Government of India, and ratified by the relevant courts. Unless of course you practice nepotism or have something to hide.

Hockey India now has two high-profile posts – Executive Director and CEO.

We will be happy if the specific functions of both are made open.

Pending official information, we are constrained to rely on sources, and the sources indicate that Hockey India pays Rs.2 lac per month as salary to the new CEO.

Franking speaking, you won’t get a genuine sporting Indian CEO for this amount, especially after Indian Premier League’s (Indian cricket’s domestic league in vogue since four years) success.