Elena Norman, Hockey India’s first chief executive officer (CEO), resigned on Tuesday because of federation politics after 13 years of service. “Of course, it’s disappointing and sad. But it has become too difficult (for me to continue) now. It is a good time to move on,” said the Australian. It has been reliably learnt that Norman did not receive her salary, already reduced last year, for the last three months and only got it last week after she sent a legal notice. Following the notice and HI’s legal counsel’s intervention, the NSF finally released her compensation.
Norman was hired as CEO in 2011 under Narinder Batra, who was then the secretary general of HI which had just been recognised as the sport’s governing body after years of administrative turmoil in the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), formerly the governing body of hockey in India.
She had a smooth run under Batra, who was HI president from 2014-16 after which he became the International Hockey Federation (FIH) president in 2016 and also the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president in 2017.
But following a court case filed by 1975 World Cup-winner Aslam Sher Khan pertaining to administrative issues of HI under Batra and Norman, Batra resigned from FIH, IOA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2022 which led to HI elections where former India skipper Dilip Tirkey and Bhola Nath Singh were elected as president and secretary general. While Norman has had the support of Tirkey, it has not been the same from other sections of HI.
“There are two factions in HI and they think and operate differently and that’s just made it difficult for me to function. From that perspective it doesn’t make sense. You keep putting yourself under pressure. It is a decision I haven’t taken lightly. It is something I have been thinking of for a long time,” said Norman, whose last working day at HI will be Thursday following which she will be returning to Australia.
Norman’s salary not being received was the final nail in the coffin, even though the issues had been ongoing for some time. “I would like to express my gratitude for Elena’s time and dedication. Not only as the President of Hockey India but also as a former player and avid hockey enthusiast, I want to formally acknowledge and extend my sincere gratitude for her remarkable contributions over the last 12-13 years,” said Tirkey.
While Norman had explained her reasons to the HI Executive Board (EB), Tirkey also sent a mail to the EB elucidating that she was finding it difficult to work given the circumstances.
“Her dedication and efforts have played a pivotal role in propelling Hockey India and Indian hockey to the commendable position they hold today. I wish her great success in all her future endeavours.”
Norman’s resignation comes four days after Janneke Schopman resigned as the chief coach of the Indian women’s team, which failed to qualify for Paris 2024. The Dutch woman also cited that she was supported by Tirkey and Norman, but not by others in HI.
During Norman’s time as CEO, the Indian men’s team clinched an Olympic medal, a bronze, to end a 41-year long wait, while the women finished an unprecedented fourth. Under her leadership, HI hosted two consecutive editions of men’s World Cup in 2018 and 2023, two Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 and 2021 and five editions of Hockey India League (HIL).
During her tenure, HI also hosted multiple events, including the Champions Trophy and World League Finals in 2015 and 2016, Olympic Qualifiers in 2019 and 2024, and Pro League.
Norman was also at the forefront of bringing women’s hockey to limelight, providing them equal facilities as men including cash awards recognising standout performances in international events through HI Annual Awards. She played a vital role in the women’s team’s success in Rio 2016, which was the first Olympic qualification in 36 years.
Norman made similar assertions and talked about the infighting within HI, but did not address the issues that led to the clash of ideas. She, however, praised Tirkey for his unwavering support.
Sources in HI said Tirkey has struggled to devote time to HI due to his political commitments with the Biju Janata Dal party in Odisha. He is expected to compete in Lok Sabha elections later this year.
Norman, who moved 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 points across to the HI board and is now looking forward to a break.
