New Delhi, May 25 (Agency) Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra on Wednesday quit from the post and said that he will not run for another term. “At a time when world hockey is going through an essential development phase, with the promotion of Hockey5s, 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 said in a statement. “Consequently, I’ve decided to not run for a further term as President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA),” he said. Batra, who is also the International Hockey Federation chief, has headed the IOA since 2017. “I feel that the time has come for me to leave this role to someone coming with a fresh mind and new ideas to take Indian sports to much much greater heights and also go all out to work to get 2036 Summer Olympics in India,” Batra said.
“It’s been a privilege and a tremendous honour to serve in my capacity as President of IOA throughout my term, I’ve been guided by one goal only: the good and the betterment of Indian sport. “At this stage, I’d like to thank all those who’ve supported me in the last 4 years. And I wish my successor and the whole sports family in India every success in the future,” he added. The decision came after a preliminary inquiry was registered by the CBI against the IOA president last month for alleged of Rs 35 lakh from Hockey India funds.