Mariamma Koshy appointed as new President of Hockey India
In the 41st Hockey India Executive Board meeting held today, Hockey India announced Ms. Mariamma Koshy as it’s new President with effect from 25 November 2016.
Hockey India Secretary General, Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad has now taken over as the Chairman of the Hockey India League Governing Board.
These decisions have come in the light of Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra stepping down from this position due to his recent election as the new President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Based on this development, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra could not hold posts in Hockey India/Hockey India League and the International Hockey Federation and hence Mariamma Koshy will be now taking charge of leading Hockey India with immediate effect.
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The decisions will require ratification in the Hockey India Congress to be held soon.
Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, who served as Secretary General from 2010 – 2014 and Hockey India President since 2014, was instrumental in kicking off a revolution in Indian hockey and created a professional approach in terms of player management, revenue generation and in developing a system that is efficient and honest in their endeavor to develop hockey and its infrastructure in the country.
Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra also resigned from his role as the Chairman of Coal India Hockey India League, his branchild which was incepted in 2013. It has grown to be the biggest hockey league in the world at present. The vision and hard work put in by Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra as the Hockey India Chief has yielded results for the sport with both men and women’s team figuring among top teams in the world.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Narinder Dhurv Batra said, “It gives me a great sense of achievement to see the independent development of Hockey India as a governing body for the sport. The organization has been and will continue to be run by professionals headed by CEO Elena Norman and having Mariamma Koshy as its new President, I am sure we will reach new heights of success in popularizing the sport in India as I take on the mantle to do the same on a global level.”
Earlier this month, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra had a historic win as the first non-European candidate elected as the fifteenth President of the International Hockey Federation. It is also the first time an Indian has headed an international Olympic sports governing body