New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) on Tuesday thanked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for appointing the three-time Olympian and former captain of the Indian hockey team Ajit Pal Singh as the Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent for the 2012 London Olympics.

"For the first time the mantle of stewardship has been entrusted in the hands of a former sportsman and it is indeed an honour that this responsibility has been given to a hockey stalwart," said Narinder Batra, secretary general of HI.

Ajit Pal led the eight-time Olympic champion to their only World Cup win in 1975. He was also the chairman of HI's coaching and development committee.

Ajit Pal's appointment comes as a surprise because he was not in the fray. IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh and Weightlifting Federation of India (WFI) chief B.P.Baishya were the top contenders but now they will go only as delegate and IOA observers.(IANS)