Dubai: Dr Narinder Batra, the chief of Hockey India, created history when he got elected as the new International Hockey Federation (FIH) president at the FIH Congress held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai.
Batra became the first Indian as well as Asian to win the top post in world hockey, wining 68 votes out of a total of 118 votes. His rival Ken Read of Australia earned 30 votes while David Balbrine of Irleand got 29 votes.
Answering to a query from Gulf News on what will be his main objective to spread hockey globally, Batra, played down the importance of an Asian getting elected to the top post: “I would like to tell everyone there is nothing like Europe or Asia in hockey. We are a one big family. Hockey, if it has to grow, then its boundaries need to grow. We have a very good lot of 12 to 14 countries but now need to expand to 25 to 30 countries and so we will have a bigger base and bigger viewership. We need to concentrate more on television and social media to expand the scope of the game.”
The 59-year-old takes over from Spaniard Leonardo Negre, who has been the chief of the FIH since 2008 and will be the 12th president of the FIH. He made a mark in Indian hockey after becoming president in 2014 and generating revenue for the sport in India through marketing the Hockey India League (HIL) and aims to do the same for FIH. “My objective will be to increase the revenue. That is very important because that is the way you will be able to assist your members. The benefit goes back to the athletes and people can feel that they can make a career out of hockey. That is what my focus would be because people coming into the sport then can make a career out of it.”
With plans of home-away matches to be played by all countries, Batra was asked about India-Pakistan matches and how he would be able to manage it, he said: “In international commitments, you cannot refuse whether it is India or Pakistan. In home and away matches, India will have to play and Pakistan will also have to play in it. You cannot ignore because if India tries to ignore or Pakistan ignores, then you will miss your bus to Olympics or World Cup. Speaking as Hockey India president, I would like to announce that all old issues with Pakistan Hockey Federation have been resolved including what happened in the Champions Trophy.
To a query whether then Dubai could be a neutral venue as Pakistan has not been holding international events, Batra said: “India-Pakistan games have always been high intensity games with good viewership, so home-and-away games will be a good addition. I am a strong supporter of home-and-away matches. If there are any restrictions, it is up to Pakistan to decide whichever neutral venue to select and FIH has to approve it.”
Can hockey expand in the Middle East region under his leadership? “My objective will be growth of hockey in all region and Gulf is no exception to it. We have African, Pan Am, we have areas in Oceana also. I want growth all over and not restricted to one region. Hockey is moving forward with different formats. Please be rest assured that the old team has got FIH to a very good level. We need to expand it and take it further.”
