Dubai: Dr Narinder Batra, the chief of Hockey India, who created history by getting elected as the new International Hockey Federation (FIH) president at the FIH Congress held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai, is a shrewd administrator.
He became the first Indian as well as Asian to win this top post mainly due to his brilliant credentials with most member nations believing he is the right man to lift the sport. His credentials ever since he became an active member of Hockey India when he took over as Treasurer in 2009 and Secretary General a year later before being elected President in 2014 speaks for itself.
Batra had worked closely with the Indian Olympic Association and was also instrumental in the Indian Olympic Association being reinstated by the International Olympic Committee in 2013-14. He has now become the first Indian to become president of an Olympic sport. His ability to generate money for the sport came to the fore when he as chairman of the Hockey India League, which is now entering its fifth season, raised the profile of hockey in India. Batra ensured that Hockey Indian, which had a revenue of just $500,000 (Dh1.84 million) in 2009 now has an earning of $16 million-plus.
Speaking to Gulf News, he candidly remarked his main objective as FIH President will be on how to increase the revenue for the sports globally so as to attract more people to choose hockey as a career.
What is your first objective as the president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH)?
It is very important to increase the revenue for the sport. If the revenue is increased the benefit will go to the members which in turn will help those who want to play this sport. People then can come into the sport and can make a career out of hockey.
Are you already planning to increase the number of tournaments as it can also indirectly generate more revenue?
I would like to concentrate on the revenue part because FIH has an excellent calendar. The FIH office is an excellent well-oiled office. I have dealt with them in staging at least one or two of their tournaments every year. So my focus will not be on increasing the number of tournaments but on increasing revenue.
You are the first from India to become president of an Olympic sport, how much of a pressure is it on you?
I don’t think it will give me any additional pressure but I do feel it is an honour to be a first Indian to be president of any Olympic sport. I feel humbled and it makes me feel I have more responsibilities and I would certainly like to live up to the expectations of the members and try and take hockey to greater heights by expanding the base.
Is the International Olympic Committee presidentship on your agenda next?
Hockey is my passion and it is in my blood. This I made very clear when I made my speech as president of FIH. People who are from India will tell you that a person would be a nutcase if you do not choose cricket. If I was in cricket I would have been the president of the cricket board today, but the only thing I know is hockey and I never tried to go for Indian Olympic Presidentship, which I could have achieved two years ago. For me it is only hockey and I don’t see beyond that and that is where I need to remain focused and concentrate. For me it is hockey all the way.
So when you look at the present scenario are you happy with the growth of hockey globally?
Hockey is moving forward with different formats. Please be rest assured that the old team has reached hockey to a very good level. We need to expand it and take it further forward. Be rest assured if there are going to be 150 members nations (as being planned) soon all the 150 nations will be playing hockey.
Can we expect hockey to get more popular in the Middle East region especially in UAE?
You will witness growth in all regions. Gulf is no exception. We have African, Pan Am, we have areas in Oceana also. I want growth all over and not restricted to one region.
So as part of globalising the sport can one expect partnerships at the grass roots level of the sport specifically for the UAE?
I have my ideas but if you are asking specifically about one country, I need to discuss these ideas with people within the International Hockey Federation as we have a board and we have other members who have much wider vision and who have been in the world body for over 20 years. So I need to discuss with everyone and there will be brainstorming sessions. When I say hockey will spread, I mean it will spread. I will not localise it to Dubai or Middle East it is going to expand all across the world including Dubai. There were some private discussions with UAE Hockey officials, but I don’t like to disclose those now.
Under your leadership can we expect more India-Pakistan matches, especially in the light of both teams having to play home and away matches?
India-Pakistan matter is a political issue. International commitments you cannot refuse whether it is India or Pakistan. Speaking as Hockey India president I would like to say that all the old issues with Pakistan Hockey Federation have been resolved. So whatever happened in the Champions Trophy has been sorted out.
Since Pakistan are unable to stage international events due to security reasons, how do you look to resolve this matter?
If there are any political reasons that you cannot go there then neutral venue is an option. I cannot pinpoint as to which country should be the neutral venue. It is up to Pakistan to decide which neutral venue to select and FIH has to approve it. It has to meet the FIH standard which are required to stage a match.
