Indian hockey star PR Sreejesh and Chilean defender Camila Caram have been appointed as co-chairs of the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) newly established Athletes Committee. This appointment marks a significant step towards empowering athletes and ensuring their voices are heard in the decision-making process of the sport.
The FIH Athletes Committee serves as a consultative body, providing recommendations to the FIH Executive Board, committees, and other bodies. Its members are responsible for seeking and providing feedback on behalf of all athletes, developing resources and initiatives to support their well-being, and promoting the sport to attract new fans.
Sreejesh, the Indian goalkeeper who led his team to a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, expressed his honor and responsibility in assuming this role. “Being part of the athletic committee itself is a great honor for me. Getting in as the co-chair is an added responsibility,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with Camila and all the athletic committee members for the betterment of hockey players around the globe.”
Caram, a key member of the Chilean women’s hockey team, echoed Sreejesh’s sentiments. “Very happy and honored that my fellow colleagues voted me as Co-chair,” she said. “I will work hard to be the voice of the athletes and have always the channels open for communication.”
The appointment of Sreejesh and Caram as co-chairs reflects FIH’s commitment to the “Athletes First” approach enshrined in its “Empowerment and Engagement” strategy. FIH President Tayyab Ikram emphasized the importance of athlete involvement in shaping the future of hockey. “Athletes have always been at the center of all sporting endeavors of the FIH,” he said. “The Athletes Committee will play a crucial role in the execution of this vision, and I look forward to working closely with all our hockey athletes to safeguard the present and improve the future.”
In addition to Sreejesh and Caram, the FIH Athletes Committee includes several other prominent hockey players from around the world. Matt Swann (Australia), Catherine Fabiano (Argentina), Jacqueline Mwangi (Kenya), Mohamed Mea (South Africa), Juliani Mohamad Din (Malaysia), Marlena Rybacha (Poland), and Cesar Garcia (Mexico) will serve as regular members and representatives in various committees.
The establishment of the FIH Athletes Committee is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of athlete voices in sports governance. By empowering athletes to participate in decision-making, FIH aims to create a more inclusive and responsive organization that truly represents the interests of the hockey community.
