Attending the LA28 Transition Seminar organised by the IOC in Lausanne this week, FIH President Tayyab Ikram had a personal meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach.
President Ikram said: “I spent some precious time with IOC President Thomas Bach at the Olympic House in Lausanne. Our relationship based on mutual trust has always enabled us to have very open and constructive talks, which I’m very grateful for.
I was particularly pleased to hear Thomas Bach thank FIH and the whole hockey community for their contribution to the huge success of the Paris 2024 Olympics. I would like to convey these thanks from the highest personality in the Olympic movement to all our stakeholders.
I could give an update to the IOC President on our ongoing efforts to develop the game, be it through our Empowerment and Engagement strategy, all our development activities or our events such as the FIH Hockey Pro League and new tournaments, such as the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 or the FIH Hockey5s World Cup.
I took this opportunity to convey the gratitude of our hockey community for receiving a great support from the IOC through the years. I also thanked personally Thomas Bach for his help during his 12-year tenure. He is and will remain a great friend and supporter of hockey.”
Earlier this week, the FIH President, together with other International Federation Presidents, received, on behalf of hockey’s global community, a Paris Olympic torch from the hands of IOC President Thomas Bach.
President Ikram said: “This is a recognition, and a celebration, of our long-standing association with the Olympic Games, which started back in 1908. Hockey’s vibrant history with the Olympics is a testimony of the strength of our sport worldwide.”
“Through our active participation within the Olympic family, we want to reaffirm our stance that hockey belongs to a wider movement where sport is not only a fantastic entertainment but also an encouragement to a healthier lifestyle through physical activity and a catalyst for positive social change", he added.
