Bhubaneswar: Col Bibhu Kalyan Nayak of Odisha has been appointed as the chair of International Hockey Federation (FIH) Health and Safety Committee by the world body’s executive board, Hockey India (HI) announced in a press release Saturday. He will serve a two-year term lasting till 2020.
A native of the temple City, Nayak who has extensively trained in Sports Traumatology and Sports & Exercise Physiology from National Institute of Sports Medicine at Havana, Cuba & National Sports Centre at Madrid, Spain, is the first Indian to be named by FIH executive board for this prestigious post.
“I am extremely honoured that FIH has considered me for this prestigious role. As an Indian, it is a proud feeling for me. I understand it is a huge responsibility and I will be working with experts in the medical field from other countries too and I believe it will be an enriching experience,” Nayak, who was the medical officer for the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup expressed on his appointment.
Nayak’s association with Indian hockey team began in 2009 and has accompanied team to events such as Sultan Azlan Shah Shah Cup (2009, 2010), CWG, Asian Games, Men’s Hockey World Cup (all in 2010) and Asian Champions Trophy (2012).
Nayak has also been the team doctor at 2012 London Olympics besides being the chief team physician of Indian Contingent in Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.