New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS): After successfully officiating several national-level hockey matches, Dhaval Prajapati was Friday promoted as an International Hockey Federation (FIH) umpire.

Dhaval started umpiring domestic matches at the age of 19 and went on to officiate several national-level matches starting with the 2011 Junior Men National Championship.

Dhaval also officiated the third Junior Men and Senior Women National Championship (2013), Senior Men National Championship (B Division - 2014) and the recently concluded Sultan of Johor Cup.

"It is a moment of joy and pride for me, as this achievement proves that hockey as a sport in India is growing as well as being appreciated worldwide. I feel really proud to be promoted as an umpire on an international platform and would work even harder to reach my goal, which is to officiate matches at the Olympics. I would like to thank my mentors who believed in me and it is because of them that I am awarded with such an opportunity," Dhaval said.

Meanwhile, Hockey India (HI) congratulated the young umpire.

"Being promoted as an international umpire, Dhaval has clearly made an impact at the international level and this achievement of his brings much joy and recognition to Indian hockey. I would like to congratulate Dhaval Prajapati on his promotion and wish him luck for his future endeavours," HI secretary general Mohammed Mushtaque Ahmad said.