For the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023, Bhubaneswar - Rourkela, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has nominated four Indian officials in various positions. On Monday, the FIH revealed its decision.
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For the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023, Bhubaneswar - Rourkela, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has nominated four Indian officials in various positions. On Monday, the FIH revealed its decision.
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Sonia Bathla (technical official), Col (Dr) Bibhu Nayak, Raghu Prasad, and Javed Shaikh are among the officials (both umpires).
Gyanendro Nigombam, President of Hockey India, congratulated the Indian officials on their selection, saying, "Our officials will represent India in the premier tournament in 2023, which is a source of great pleasure for Hockey India. I wish all four of them the best of luck in their endeavours.”
The FIH has nominated Sonia Bathla as the technical official for the famous quadrennial competition, making her the only woman official from India. Bathla, who has been a member of Delhi Hockey since 2010, said she is honoured to have been chosen by the FIH.
"In this prestigious event, I am looking forward to doing my duties to the best of my skills. Hockey India has done a tremendous job of promoting women officials over the years and has provided us with several opportunities to gain international expertise and experience via their regular clinics and workshops "Bathla said.
Bibhu Kalyan Nayak, a sports traumatologist and sports & exercise physiologist who was recently appointed chair of the FIH Health and Safety Committee by the FIH Executive Board, expressed his delight at being named Medical Officer for the prestigious tournament.
"This will be my second time in India as a medical officer for a World Cup tournament. I'm honoured to be given this chance again, and I recognise that it comes with a great deal of responsibility. I am convinced that I will do the part justice." Nayak said.
In the meanwhile, umpire Javed Shaikh, who presided at last year's Tokyo Olympic Games, stated, "I was ecstatic to get the news, and I'm honoured to be a part of this amazing competition in India. Similarly to how players must prepare for the event, my duty as an umpire will be cut short, and I must focus on my health and quickness in order to perform at my best."
Shaikh has umpired in key tournaments over the previous decade, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and the 2014 Men's World Cup in Hague, Netherlands, as well as being called up as an umpire for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Olympics.
Bengaluru-born umpire Raghu Prasad also expressed his delight at his appointment. "It is a huge honour for me to be a part of the Umpire panel for another World Cup tournament," he stated. I'll keep putting in "all the hard work."
"At the Tokyo Olympics, I acquired experience officiating." "I'm excited to get another chance to referee World Cup matches in Odisha," the umpire remarked.
Prasad has umpired in important tournaments such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, three World Cups, and the Tokyo Olympics in the previous 16 years.