Bhubaneswar : The International Hockey Federation has appointed four Indian officials in various capacities for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, Bhubaneswar – Rourkela. The FIH announced its decision yesterday. The officials are Sonia Bathla (technical official), Col (Dr) Bibhu Nayak, Raghu Prasad, and Javed Shaikh (both umpires).
Congratulating the Indian officials on their appointment, Gyanendro Nigombam, President, Hockey India said, “It is a matter of great pride for Hockey India that our officials will represent India at the marquee tournament in 2023. I wish all the four, my best wishes on their endeavours.” Sonia Bathla will be the lone woman official from India to have been appointed by the FIH as the technical official for the prestigious quadrennial tournament. Bathla, who is a part of Delhi Hockey, and started her career in 2010, said that she feels proud of the appointment by the FIH.
“I look forward to doing my duties to the best of my abilities in this prestigious event. It is fantastic that Hockey India has promoted women officials over these years and has given us several opportunities to equip ourselves with knowledge and the know-how of international standards through their regular clinics and workshops,” said Bathla.
Bibhu Kalyan Nayak, an expert in sports traumatology and sports & exercise physiology, who previously held the position of the chair of FIH Health and Safety Committee by the FIH Executive Board recently, also expressed his pleasure for the appointment as the Medical Officer for the coveted event.
