HI hails Ajit Pal`s appointment as chef-de-mission

New Delhi: Hockey India on Tuesday lauded the Indian Olympic Association for appointing former hockey captain Ajit Pal Singh as the chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for this year`s London Olympics.

Three-time Olympian Ajit Pal yesterday became the first sportsperson from the country to be given the honour to head a contingent in the Olympic Games after a seven-member committee of the IOA, which was formed to appoint the chef-de-mission for the July 27-August 12 Games, unanimously selected the former hockey star. "For the first time the mantle of stewardship has been entrusted in the hands of a former sportsman and it is indeed an honour that this responsibility has been given to a hockey stalwart," HI secretary general Narinder Batra said in a statement. Ajit Pal Singh, captain of India`s lone World Cup-winning side in 1975, is also the chairman of Hockey India Coaching and Development Committee. PTI