The Spaniard, who represented his country at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, beat Dutchwoman Els van Breda Vriesman, who was then a member of the International Olympic Committee, to secure the role back in 2008.

Negre was then chosen to serve another four-year term in 2012 following hockey’s successful showing during the Olympic Games.

The FIH Presidential election will take place at the organisation’s congress, scheduled to take place in Dubai in November.

“Well I will stand for sure but at this moment I have no idea who will run against me,” Negre said.

“If there is somebody who would like to stand, I don’t know who it is at the moment because there is no movement.

"Everybody is very quiet because they need time to go to other countries and continents to introduce themselves and campaign.

“If someone is doing something like that, for sure I don’t know."

The Spaniard has overseen widespread development within the sport, although it was placed on a shortlist of five sports under consideration to be voted off the Olympic programme in February 13, ending up in the final three with wrestling and modern pentathlon.

Hockey managed to retain its Olympic status and Negre says he is confident he will be given the chance to serve his third and final term, which would see him remain in charge for Tokyo 2020.

“I don’t think anyone will stand against me - that is my feeling at the moment,” he added.

“We have achieved a lot of things and I think the world hockey family is happy with our staff and how the FIH is being run.

“I have done a lot of travelling and visits to other countries and have even got to know the wives of the people I have met, which can be important.

“There are some people who have aspirations and expectations but they prefer to wait until I have finished my term because they know it will be difficult to win if they stand against me - I like to be honest.”

To read the full interview with Leandro Negre click here.