Ningombam became the President of Hockey India
New Delhi, November 6 |
Gyanendro Ningombam of Manipur was on Friday elected as the chairman of the unopposed Hockey India, replacing Mohammad Mushtaq Ahmed.
Ahmed was elected Hockey India Congress and Senior Vice President unopposed in the election here.
Members units unable to travel amidst the corona virus epidemic attended the meeting via video conference.
Ningombam is the first member of the Northeast to hold the post of Hockey India President. He was the acting president after Ahmad resigned in July for personal reasons.
The Sports Ministry had asked Ahmed to resign since his election in 2018 was in violation of National Sports Code tenure guidelines. The federation was asked to hold fresh elections for the post of president.
Under the National Sports Code, no official can hold the post for three consecutive terms. Ahmed was the Treasurer of Hockey India from 2010 to 2014.
After this he became general secretary in 2014 and was elected to the post of president for four years in 2018.
Hockey India was informed for this in 2019 but the federation contends that Ahmed held the position of treasurer before Hockey India was recognized by the Sports Ministry and cannot be counted in the tenure. However, the argument was rejected by the ministry.
Ningombam will hold the post for two years. He was also the executive officer of Manipur Hockey between 2009 and 2014.
Under Ahmed’s tenure, Hockey India hosted several international tournaments including the 2018 World Cup.
“I congratulate Gyanendro Ningombam on being elected as the President of Hockey India. Along with this, I also congratulate Mohammad Mushtaq Ahmed on his return to the Executive Board of Hockey India as Senior Vice President.” Hockey India Secretary General Rajinder Singh said in a statement.
The meeting also discussed the resumption of tournaments which will begin with the National Championship in 2021.
