Narinder Batra resigns as FIH President citing 'personal reasons'

The sports administrator has stepped aside from several positions that he held for a long period.

Sports administrator Narinder Batra resigned from his post as the President of the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) and International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Monday. Batra also gave up his membership in the International Olympics Committee (IOC). In three separate letters, he issued his resignation citing 'personal reasons'.

In his letter to the IOC, Batra stated, "Due to personal reasons, I submit my resignation from the post of IOC member. Thank you for your support and guidance."

The resignation comes two weeks after the Delhi High Court had refused to stay the order. The order by which Batra was restrained from discharging any function as IOA President.

In a May 25 order, the Delhi High Court removed Batra as the IOA chief after the high court struck down the post of 'life member' in Hockey India. In courtesy to which he had contested and won the apex body elections in 2017. The court had ruled that the position of 'life member' and 'life president' were illegal since they were not in consonance with the National Sports Conduct.

The court ruling had come when former hockey player Aslam Sher Khan challenged Batra's position as a life member. In June, Court issued a notice for not discharging his duties as the President of the body. The notice stated, "Whether Mr Batra is appointed as President, Indian Olympic Association only by the virtue of being the Life Member of Hockey India or if he is holding the position by virtue of some other position in FIH or Associate Vice President in Hockey India is required to be seen in the light of the judgement passed by this Court in W.P (C) No. 5703 of 2020."

Khan had filed a petition for contempt of court order by Narinder Batra continuing as the President of IOA. The court had listed the contempt petition for further hearing on August 3.

In April, the CBI had also lodged a preliminary enquiry against Batra for allegedly diverting nearly thirty-five lakhs of Hockey India fund for his personal use. Batra became the first Asian to be elected as the FIH chief in 2016. He was later re-elected in May last year.

Batra's resignation as the FIH President comes as a surprise as he said that he would be committed in his job at the world hockey body.

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