Citing unpaid dues, factionalism, Hockey India CEO Norman quits

Vinayak Padmadeo

New Delhi, February 27

The long-standing CEO of Hockey India, Elena Norman, has resigned citing “unpaid dues and difficult working environment”. This comes close on the heels of the resignation of women’s coach Janneke Schopman, who said that she was not valued by the HI officials.

There are two factions in Hockey India. There is (president) Dilip Tirkey and I and there is (secretary) Bholanath Singh, (executive director) RK Srivastava and (treasurer) Sekar J Manoharan. It was getting tough to deliver in the fight between two factions — Elena Norman

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Norman, who held the post for almost 13 years, was perturbed by the fact that she had not been paid her wages for the last three months besides not being consulted on important decisions.

Norman’s resignation has been accepted but it is not clear when she would be relieved of her duties.

HI president and former India captain Dilip Tirkey while accepting her resignation acknowledged Norman’s contribution towards the growth of the game in India. However, in a separate correspondence with the HI board members, Tirkey said that he tried but failed in his attempt to persuade Norman to continue in her role.

“Despite my best efforts to persuade Elena to continue her invaluable contributions to our organisation, we cannot overlook the challenges she has faced, particularly issues surrounding unpaid

dues and increasingly difficult working environment,” Tirkey said in his mail on Tuesday.

“The decision for her departure is truly disappointing, as I firmly believe that Hockey India is losing a seasoned professional who has played a pivotal role in the growth and elevation of the sport’s professionalism over the past 12 years. Her dedication and hard work have significantly contributed to the organisation’s achievements, and her departure is undoubtedly to the detriment of Hockey India,” he added.