First time in the history of the Federation Internationale hockey, a Non-European, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, has been elected as its president.
In the FIH Conference held in Dubai today, Hockey India presdient ND Batra won the confidence of the FIH electoral college in a big way cornering 68 of the 118 voters present. A simple majority was required to get elected.
Previously, MAM Ramasamy and Ashwini Kumar held the Indian flag in the FIH comity, becoming elected vice-Presidents.
Today, Dr Batra, who is now heading the Indian hockey and also the globally popular Hockey India League, went a step further to claim the coveted post in the FIH.
It’s a proud moment for India.
Dr. Batra came to hockey in 2000 with the organization of Sr Nationals in Jammu, his home state. Shortly later he was inducted into president of Indian Hockey Federation.
Due to nonadherence to many ethos that go with the sport, he protested and challenged the legitimacy and functioning of the IHF then headed by KPS Gill.
However, Indian not qualifying for the 2008 Olympics changed the things dramatically.
He was taken in as Treasurer of Adhoc Committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association to runt he sports.
With the active support of the FIH, Batra later on could take control of the newly formed Hockey India. He saw to it his nominee Vidya Stokes win the HI election putting in place Pargat Singh.
He was elected Secretary General of HI
He introduced Hockey India League on commercial launch pad, organized national championships every year, set up a professional Hockey India office.
He was elected unopposed President of Hockey India three years ago in its Delhi Congress.