~Recognition as a result of their outstanding contribution and dedication to hockey~
New Delhi, 4th July, 2024: Hockey India on Thursday congratulated Deepak Joshi for being upgraded to FIH International Leading Panel Umpire & Rama Potnis for being upgraded to FIH International High Potential Panel Umpire. Bhagyashree Agarwal for getting promoted to the FIH International Centre Panel Umpire (Hockey 5s). This recognition comes as a result of their outstanding contributions and dedication to the sport of hockey.
In a letter addressed to the abovementioned names, the FIH Umpiring Committee expressed their pleasure in accepting the recommendation for their promotion. The letter, which was also copied to the National Association and Continental Federation, acknowledged their commitment to excellence in umpiring.
Deepak Joshi has been promoted to Leading Panel Umpire for Outdoor Hockey. Notably, the 35-year-old Deepak has officiated in some of the major tournaments like the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games for men, 2021-22 FIH Hockey Pro League for both men and Women, Uttar Pradesh Hockey Junior World Cup Men Lucknow 2016, FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 and 13th African Games in Ghana for Men and Women among others.
Rama Potnis has been promoted to High Potential Panel Umpire for Outdoor Hockey. Rama Pramod Potnis, who hails from Maharashtra started her international career as an umpire at the South Asia Games held in Guwahati, India in 2016 and she also went on to officiate at the 5 Nations Invitational (Valencia) – Junior Women in the same year. Potnis also umpired in major events such as the Women’s Junior AHF Cup 2019 held in Singapore, Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2021 held in Donghae City, South Korea, Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2024 and FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup Spain 2023-24.
Meanwhile, Bhagyashree Agarwal has been promoted to Centre Panel Umpire for Hockey5s. The umpire from Maharashtra has officiated in tournaments like Women’s Hockey5s Asia Cup Salalah 2023 held in Salalah, Oman, Men’s Hockey5s Asia Cup Salalah 2023 in Salalah, Oman, FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 (Women’s) in Muscat and FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 (Men’s) in Muscat.
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey congratulated the umpires and said, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Deepak Joshi, Rama Potnis and Bhagyashree Agarwal on their achievement. Their promotion to the FIH International Panel is a testament to their hard work and skill as an outdoor umpire. We are confident that they all will continue to make us proud on the international stage with fair and fearless judgment on the field.”
Meanwhile, Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh extended his heartfelt wishes and said, “Their dedication and contribution to the sport have been awarded. This promotion is well-deserved, and we believe that they all will bring the same level of professionalism and expertise to international matches.”
By Hockey India
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