Hockey India on Wednesday congratulated Col (Dr.) Bibhu Kalyan Nayak for being named as the FIH Medical Officer for the prestigious 2018 Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup.
Col (Dr.) Nayak is the first Indian to be named by FIH as the Medical Officer for a World Cup. He was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps of Indian Army in 1995 and has worked in the Army Sports Institute, Pune for six years with elite athletes of the country.
Reflecting on his appointment, Col (Dr.) Nayak said, "I am extremely honoured that FIH has even considered an Indian doctor for the role of a Medical Officer for the prestigious World event. The feeling of pride is yet to sink in but at the same time I understand it is a huge responsibility. I am confident of doing justice to the role - backed with my experience of working with elite athletes over the last two decades as well as closely working with the Indian hockey team."
"It was always my childhood dream to represent India in sports but pressure from family to excel in studies derailed that dream. However, my unwavering passion for sports enabled me to take up the role of team doctor and eventually wear the India colours. I always wanted to wear the Services uniform too so this was the best way possible to live my dreams," he added.
His first international stint as the team doctor was in 2007 when he took up the role with Indian Youth Boxing Team for a span of two years. He began working with the Indian National Hockey Team since 2009, having accompanied the team to events such as Sultan Azlan Shah Shah Cup in 2009 and 2010, XIX Commonwealth Games 2010, XVI Asian Games 2010, Men's Hockey World Cup New Delhi 2010 and Asian Champions Trophy, Doha Qatar in 2012.
He has been the Team Doctor at 2012 London Olympic Games where India have won maximum number of Medals i.e. six in any Olympic Games till date. He was also the Chief Team Physician of Indian Contingent Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where India won a maximum of four medals in any Paralympic Games till date.
Currently Col (Dr.) Nayak is on Deputation with Sports Injury Centre, Safdarjung Hospital as Specialist on Deputation (Sports Medicine) with a mandate to look after the sports and training related injuries and performance enhancement in respect of elite athletes of the country.
"Bhubaneswar being my home town and prior knowledge of the venue, affiliated medical set up in the city as well as my experience with HIL as Tournament Medical Officer will also be an added advantage to discharge the duties to the best of my abilities," Col (Dr.) Nayak said.
Congratulating Col (Dr.) BK Nayak, Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India said, "Col (Dr.) Nayak is a well-known medical expert among the Indian sporting fraternity. His contribution in the area of sports injury prevention and rehabilitation is immense and to have him as the Medical Officer at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 is reassuring. I congratulate him for being the first Indian doctor to be appointed as the FIH Medical Officer for a World Cup. I wish him the very best on behalf of Hockey India.
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