Dr. Narendra Dhruv Batra re-elected President of FIH
Dr. Narendra Dhruv Batra of India has again been elected President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Batra defeated his Belgian rival Mark Cowdron 63-61 in a close contest in the 47th Congress of the FIH on Saturday for the presidency. Batra has become the first Indian to become the President of FIH for the second consecutive term.
Dr. Batra received 63 votes out of 124, which was enough to elevate him to the top position of the world body of hockey. Cowdron was the only other candidate for the post of FIH president in Congress.
Earlier in 2016, Dr. Batra was a member of the Executive Board of the FIH and the Vice President of the Asian Hockey Federation. He became the first Indian to replace FIH President Leandro Negre at the time. After being re-elected this time, Dr. Batra will continue to be the President of FIH till the year 2024.
Dr. Batra, who has more than two decades of experience in sports administration, took hockey to new heights globally in his first term. He was instrumental in implementing FIH’s Home and Away League FIH Hockey Pro League, FIH Hockey Five World Cup and Hockey Five World Tour.
For his second term, Dr. Batra has emphasized objectives such as increasing the number of hockey playing countries in his election manifesto. Apart from this, he has emphasized on increasing financial stability, improving the Olympic status of the sport and balancing the international calendar of events.
Dr. Batra said in his address during the FIH Congress through a virtual conference, “My first priority is to strengthen the game globally.” For this, we have to find new formats and events. Proper training and infrastructure will have to be provided to the players. Along with developing the game globally, we also have to increase its visibility and reach. We have to keep better rapport with our fans. We have to further improve relations with new audiences found in countries in the US and in the African subcontinent.
Hockey India has congratulated Dr. Batra on being elected president for the second time. Hockey India President Gyanendro Nyingombam congratulated Dr. Batra on this historic victory, saying, Dr. Narendra Dhruv Batra in his first term took the hockey community to a new era through new formats and tournaments. He is on a mission to spread hockey globally. We congratulate him and hope to achieve new heights in his second term as FIH President. It is a matter of great pride for India. We would like to guide them for the development of this game in India and learn from their experience.
