Elena Norman, Hockey India’s long-serving CEO, resigns on Tuesday, causing further instability.
The Australian held the position for about 13 years.
Norman’s departure comes only days after the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, Janneke Schopman, alleged that she was not regarded and respected by the national federation.
While accepting Norman’s resignation, Hockey India president and former India captain Dilip Tirkey extended gratitude to the Australian.
As President of Hockey India and a lifelong hockey fan, Tirkey said in a statement, “I want to formally acknowledge and extend my sincere gratitude for her remarkable contributions over the last 12–13 years.”
The remarkable position that Hockey India and Indian hockey enjoy now is largely due to her hard work and dedication. Her future endeavors are filled with great success, my desire for her. The men’s and women’s national teams finished in the top three globally during her tenure as president.
Significantly, the men’s team ended a 41-year medal drought with a historic bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games. In the quadrennial spectacular, the women also placed an unparalleled fourth.
During a significant portion of her tenure at HI, Norman worked under former International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Narendra Batra.
In addition to hosting five seasons of the now-canceled Hockey India League (HIL), a franchise-based league, HI also hosted two Junior Men’s World Cups in 2016 and 2021 and two successive FIH Men’s World Cups in 2018 and 2023.
