Dubai: Leandro Negre, the president of the International Hockey Federation is delighted with the impact that hockey is creating around the world. In fact, it is part of the world body’s initiative to reach out to many nations that they decided to stage their 45th FIH Congress in Dubai.
Speaking to Gulf News, Negre, recalling his phase as president of the world body since the FIH Congress in 2008, said: “I think it was a brilliant phase of international hockey during the last few years and I am happy to have been heading the federation. We cannot now compare hockey from what it was a few years ago. So many new countries have joined us as members and it is a very heartening result.”
Negre, a former international goalkeeper, competed at the highest level. He represented Spain at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico and has a deep knowledge of the sport. “When I was elected there were only around 92 members — today we have over 120 registered countries. The interest during the last few years has been very encouraging.”
Negre, who will hand over the powers to the new president Saturday, reached the top position in international hockey serving the game at all levels. He served as President of the Spanish Hockey Federation from 1984 to 1992 and later took a position on the executive board of the European Hockey Federation (EHF). Some of the FIH executive board members along with him include Prince Abdullah Shah, president of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), Seif Ahmad who was a member of Egypt’s national team in 1968, Marijke Fleuren, the vice President of the Royal Dutch Hockey Federation, Pam Elgar, President of the Oceania Continental Federation (OHF), Alberto Budeisky, President of the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF), Qasim Zia, the President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) since 2008, Indian Hockey Federation chief Dr Narinder Batra — and Kelly Fairweather who joined as the FIH CEO in 2010.
“I thank all members and staff for making a fantastic change to hockey in the last few years. I feel proud not only personally but also on behalf of the members who have worked hard for the health of hockey,” said Negre.
Talking about spreading hockey around the world, he said: “The hockey revolution conference being held here is aimed at making hockey a very popular sport. Now women’s hockey too is progressing tremendously. It is fantastic the executive body has shaped the sport well. I am sure the new body will continue the good work.”
Incidentally, the 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy was launched two years ago at FIH’s Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco with the primary aim of making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation. A number of defined goals and major initiatives were set out to achieve this and is being reviewed here during the meeting.
Contesting the president’s post with India’s Batra are David Balbirnie of Ireland and Australia’s Ken Read. The new president will be elected Saturday evening.
Balbirnie has been at the heart of Ireland’s recent great show in international hockey events. He was a former national team manager and was involved in the administration of the Irish, European and the International Hockey Federations. Read was a former Australian national team player, coach and team manager.
