“The environment was becoming suffocating”: Elena Norman, outgoing Hockey India CEO

Outgoing Hockey India CEO Elena Norman on Tuesday said the work environment at HI was ‘stifling’ and she had no option but to leave. After holding the position for 13 years, Norman resigned and even though HI did not reveal the specific reasons for his decision in their official statement, The Australian explained what forced him to step down. “Of course, in the fight between the two groups, it was becoming difficult to deliver results. The atmosphere was becoming suffocating,” Norman told PTI in an interview.

“There are two factions in Hockey India. One is (President) Dilip Tirkey and me and one is (Secretary) Bholanath Singh, (Executive Director) Commander RK Srivastava and (Treasurer) Shekhar J Manoharan,” he said.

“There are people who want power and then there is (HI president) Dilip (Tirkey) who is a good person, just for the betterment of Indian hockey,” the 49-year-old player said.

The whole situation worsened due to non-payment of his wages for three months.

“There were some issues (regarding my salary) and after a lot of convincing it was resolved last week,” Norman said.

His resignation is the second blow to HI in the last few days after Indian women’s hockey team coach Janneke Schopman resigned complaining of a tough work environment.

Shopman said he was not being valued or appreciated by the governing body.

Norman also made a similar claim and talked about the infighting within HI without focusing on the issues that caused the conflict of ideas. However, he appreciated Tirkey’s unwavering support.

HI sources said Tirkey is finding it difficult to give time to HI due to his political commitments with the Biju Janata Dal party in Odisha. He is expected to contest the Lok Sabha elections later this year.

Norman, who came to India in 2007 to work for a sports marketing firm before being appointed the federation’s first CEO in 2011, said she has put her case forward to the HI board and is now looking forward to a break. Has been.

She said, “I have conveyed my views to the board members. Dilip knows everything but I don’t want to go into specifics. I feel it is time for me to leave and I am excited about new opportunities.” Now it’s just time for me.” ,

“I’m going on holidays, I’m going fishing, I’m going on some treks, I’m going to spend time with my family. I’ve been here for a long time so now I want to relax.

She said enthusiastically, “I will take at least three months off and then look for exciting opportunities. Honestly, I don’t know what the future holds, but it’s all going to be great.”

Norman spent a large part of his tenure with HI when former International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief Narinder Batra was the president of the national body.

During his tenure, HI hosted two consecutive editions of the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2018 and 2023, two Junior Men’s World Cups in 2016 and 2021 and five editions of the now defunct Hockey India League (HIL). Also hosted.

She was at the forefront of the organizational structure for these events.

Norman also played a key role in the appointment of Dutchman Sjoerd Marin as head coach of the women’s team, which finished a historic fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. Shopman was also seen as his choice.

He is also credited with the appointment of Australian Graham Reid as the men’s coach in 2019. Under Reed’s tutelage, the team won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, ending a 41-year drought.

Additionally, HI also hosted several international hockey events during its tenure, including the Champions Trophy, the World League Finals in 2015 and 2017, Olympic Qualifiers in 2019 and 2024, as well as Hockey Pro League home games.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)