Hockey India president Narinder Batra was appointed as the new chief of the International Hockey Federation in Dubai on Saturday, edging David Balbirnie and Ken Read in a three-way battle.
The 59-year-old Batra was elevated to the post of president of HI in October after serving as a secretary. With the win, Batra also becomes the first Indian take the post, succeeding Spaniard Leandro Negre, who has been the FIH supremo since 2008.
Batra won by an overwhelming margin, bagging 68 votes. Balbirnie, who finished behind Batra won 29 votes while Read picked up only 13.