Narinder Batra resigns as FIH president, relinquishes IOC membership

NEW DELHI: Senior sports administrator Narinder Batra resigned as the president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and also quit the membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday.

After contesting the IOA elections and winning in 2017, Batra's presidency of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ended after the Delhi High Court revoked the 'Life member' status in Hockey India on May 25, courtesy of which he had contested the election.

Batra formally tendered his resignation from the IOA, IOC and FIH respectively in three separate handwritten notes

In all the letters, he cited "personal reasons" behind his decisions.

"Due to personal reasons I submit my resignation from the post of President FIH," Batra wrote to the Executive Board of FIH.

Batra's IOC membership was linked to the IOA presidency, but his resignation from the FIH came as a surprise after he said in May that he wanted to focus on his work at the world hockey body.

Batra's resignation may have been triggered by the refusal of the Delhi High Court to stay the appeal filed before a double bench.

But the matter has been listed for a regular hearing on July 26.

After the High Court removed him, Batra issued a statement announcing that he would not contest the upcoming IOA elections, instead saying that he would completely shift his focus to managing world hockey.

"At a time when world hockey is going through an essential development phase, with the promotion of Hockey 5s, the creation of a new competition this year 'the FIH Hockey Nations Cup' and the launch of fan-engaging platforms and activities, my role as President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) requires more time for all these activities," Batra had said.

"Consequently, I've decided to not run for a further term as president of the IOA."

Batra, 65, took charge of the IOA for the first time in 2017 and was eligible to contest re-election.

The IOA elections were supposed to be held in December last year but could not be held as per schedule due to ongoing amendments in the election process.

Batra, who became an IOC member in 2019, later became a member of the Olympic Channel Commission.

Batra, who became FIH president in 2016, regained the post for a second term last year.

In a contempt case filed by Olympian and Hockey World Cup winner Aslam Sher Khan, the Delhi High Court ordered the removal of Batra from the post of IOA president.

Then the court-appointed Anil Khanna, who was holding the position of Senior Vice President of IOA, as the Acting President of IOA.

Batra's reign has been marred by several controversies.

Sudhanshu Mittal, IOA Vice-President had written to the IOC in 2020, alleging irregularities and false declarations in Batra's election to the top post.

Recently, Batra had apologized for a social media post against former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha, which led to calls for him to resign from the top IOA job.

The CBI had also started a preliminary investigation against Batra for allegedly misappropriating public funds in April.

With PTI inputs