NEW DELHI: India’s Deepa Kumari has been accorded an international outdoor umpire status by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Congratulating Deepa on this proud moment, Hockey India secretary general Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad said: “It’s a proud day for Indian hockey and everyone at Hockey India would like to congratulate Deepa Kumari for this achievement.

“Her outstanding performance as an umpire in the last many years has helped her to earn this recognition from the FIH Umpiring Committee and today I am sure she would be elated for being promoted to an FIH International Outdoor Umpire.”

Deepa, who started her umpiring career in 2010, officiated many domestic tournaments in India. Her international umpiring career includes the recently culminated Hawke’s Bay Cup besides the 2013 U-16 Girls Asia Cup.