New Delhi, May 23 (IANS): India's Deepa Kumari has been promoted as the international hockey umpire by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Umpiring Committee.

While anouncing Deepa's elevation on Saturday, Hockey India (HI) congratulated her and said that "it's a proud day for Indian hockey".

"It’s a proud day for Indian Hockey and everyone at Hockey India would like to congratulate Deepa Kumari for this achievement,"HI secretary general Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad said in a statement.

"Her outstanding performance as an Umpire in the last many years has helped her with this recognition by the FIH Umpiring Committee and today I am sure she would be elated for being promoted to an FIH International Umpire."

Having started as an umpire since the year 2010, Deepa has to her credit of officiating many domestic tournaments held in India. Her international umpiring career includes the recently culminated Hawke’s Bay Cup 2015 alongwith the all important Under-16 Girls Asia Cup 2013.