FIH president apologizes to Pakistan, others for social media outburst

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 June 2017

FIH President Narinder Dhruv Batra has issued apologies to multiple nations, including Pakistan, for his offensive social media posts. His remarks came during a tense hockey match between India and Pakistan.

Summary

NEW DELHI - FIH President Narinder Dhruv Batra (pictured) has apologized to several nations, including Pakistan, for his social media outburst during the recent Men's Hero Hockey World League semi-final between India and Pakistan in London.

"FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra has issued personal apologies via formal letters and follow up phone calls to several nations and the FIH Executive Board in relation to posting inappropriate comments on his personal Facebook page," a FIH statement said.

Batra, who was elected as the FIH president last year, had taken to social media network to vent his emotions during the June 18th match, in which India wore black armband in protest.

The two countries have not been playing bilateral series in hockey and cricket due to the degrading political relations.

Following Indian cricket team's loss against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval on the same day, Batra posted some abusive remarks against Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who had congratulated the Pakistan cricket team.

The International hockey governing body was not pleased with Batra's remarks and forced the former Hockey India chief to delete his posts.

According to media reports, Batra then wrote a letter to the President of Pakistan Hockey Federation offering his apologies. - PTI/Image courtesy: hockeyindia.org