New Delhi, 29 August 2018: Hockey India on Wednesday congratulated Biswaranjan Sarangi of Cuttack, Odisha on being promoted as FIH International Technical Official by the FIH Officials Committee. The World Governing Body for Hockey, announced its decision on Tuesday. Earlier this year, Sarangi was also appointed as Judge for the Men’s Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand. He was also appointed as technical official at the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Ipoh Malaysia in March this year.
Sarangi became the first official from Odisha to be promoted as an FIH International Technical Official. “Exposure at the Hockey India League 2015 has been crucial for my growth as a Technical Official and ever since then I have been officiating at various domestic and International events. My growth as a technical official could not have been possible without the support of my family and for Hockey India Umpiring, Technical and Competitions Committee, who has trusted my abilities as a Technical Official, given me opportunities and the right direction to achieve in this profession.”
It was good news for 29-year-old Baljit Hira Singh too, who is currently officiating at the ongoing 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang. He has been promoted as FIH International Technical Official. “I had the opportunity of officiating at the India Tour of New Zealand earlier this year and now I’m getting good exposure at the 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang too where I am learning from experienced officials from other countries. I thank Hockey India for giving me this kind of opportunity,” stated Baljit Hira Singh of Punjab.
Tarun Yadav of Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, too found his name in the FIH International Panel as he been promoted as FIH International Umpire for Outdoor Hockey and became the first Umpire from Chhattisgarh to get the FIH promotion. The 26-year-old former player for Chhattisgarh took to umpiring in 2014 and since has officiated at various domestic tournaments in the country and was also assigned umpiring job at the U-18 Asia Cup and the Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand. He also attended the Umpire’s Clinic in Ipoh, Malaysia in 2017. “One of the biggest challenges for a young umpire is to remain calm and composed when two big teams are playing. There is a lot of pressure from the crowds and language too can be a problem sometimes but Hockey India Umpiring, Technical and Competitions Committee was always there to support and encourage us. They have played a big part in my promotion to FIH International Umpire,” stated Tarun Yadav.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Shweta Kishore Patil from Kolhapur district, Maharashtra too has been elevated to the position of FIH International Umpire for Outdoor Hockey. Shweta, after representing her state in domestic hockey for 13 years, chose umpiring at the age of 21. “I was very young when I started umpiring but thanks to Hockey India Umpiring, Technical and Competitions Committee constant support and guidance I was able to make a good start and through exposure at various domestic events I got to learn and improve. I feel over the past two years, a lot of women have been looking at technical jobs in hockey and umpiring as an alternate career and it’s all thanks to Hockey India for promoting women in this field,” stated Shweta who is currently pursuing her Post Graduation Degree in sociology.
Congratulating all the four representatives from India – Biswaranjan Sarangi, Baljit Hira Singh, Tarun Yadav and Shweta Kishore Patil, on their promotion accorded by the FIH, Hockey India’s Secretary General, Md. Mushtaque Ahmad said, “I would like to wish Biswaranjan Sarangi, Baljit Singh – both highly qualified technical officials and also young umpires Tarun Yadav and Shweta Kishore Patil the very best for their new roles in FIH. It has been Hockey India Umpiring, Technical and Competitions Committee’s endeavour to engage and promote youngsters in different technical roles. While the federation is working tirelessly towards achieving best results in hockey at the international arena, promoting officials in different capacities has also been a major goal. I am happy to note that today in India we can boast of several technical officials and umpires who have made their name through hard-work and determination in the International stage.”
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