Hockey India on Thursday congratulated Javed Shaikh on being promoted to the FIH World Panel Umpire (Outdoor Hockey) by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The FIH announced its decision on Wednesday after his name was recommended by Hockey India and supported by the Asian Hockey Federation. The 41-year-old from Mumbai began his career as an umpire in 2000 at a local tournament. In 2002, he was called-up as a national umpire followed by an opportunity at the 2003 Under-21 Invitational Cup in Poland where he served as an international umpire. Over the last decade, Shaikh has umpired at major events such as Commonwealth Games, Asian Games as well as the 2014 Men's World Cup in Hague, The Netherlands and was also called up as an umpire during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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