The IOA has congratulated FIH President Narinder Batra on his recent election ©Getty Images

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has congratulated the newly elected International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Narinder Batra and the President of the IOA N Ramachandran at their Olympic Bhawan in New Delhi.

Batra became the first-ever Asian President of the FIH after he earned a comfortable victory in the opening round of voting during the world governing body's 45th Congress in Dubai in November.

The President of Hockey India, Batra received 68 votes to surpass the majority of 60 required for victory.

He succeeded outgoing Spaniard Leandro Negre, head of the FIH for eight years, as President of the organisation and took office immediately.

Batra is the 12th FIH President since the body was established in January 1924.

The ceremony in New Delhi began with IOA President Ramachandran presenting a gift to Batra.

"I would like to congratulate Dr Batra for winning FIH elections with a huge margins and making everyone proud," said Ramachandran.

"I am sure under his guidance the sport of hockey will grow more globally.

IOA President N Ramachandran was also celebrated during the event in New Delhi ©Getty Images
IOA President N Ramachandran was also celebrated during the event in New Delhi ©Getty Images

"I would also like to thank the IOA family for this felicitation ceremony."

Later in the ceremony, the secretary general of the IOA, Rajeev Mehta, presented an award to Ramachandran.

Ramachandran was recently rewarded for his contributions to the Olympic Movement when, during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach awarded him with an Olympic Order Award for his outstanding services to the Olympic Movement.

The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement and is bestowed for particularly distinguished contributions.

Two months later, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) also commended Ramachandran by handing him the prestigious OCA Award of Merit for his outstanding contributions to sport in Asia.

However, the President is currently dealing with a crisis after the IOA awarded Honorary Life President positions to two corruption-tainted officials.

Former IOA Presidents Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala were unanimously proposed for the positions, which are largely ceremonial and do not bring any voting power or right to attend events.

This led to India’s Sports Ministry cutting the IOA's funding and temporarily suspending the body.