FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 | Dilip Tirkey confident of impressive showing by Team India

While the Indian team carries out their preparations to end the medal drought in the prestigious event, it's time for hockey fans to relive the memories from India's historic World Cup campaigns through Hockey India's Flashback Series - World Cup Special.      

A recipient of the Padma Shri Award in 2004, Tirkey explained that donning the Indian jersey was a childhood dream, and being part of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team at a Senior World Cup or the Olympic Games, is the ultimate target. 

However, before making his World Cup debut, the very talented defender had Captained the Indian Men’s Hockey Team in the Men’s Champions Trophy in 1996 in Chennai. While that was one of the first major tournaments in which Tirkey led the team, he went on to Captain the Indian Men’s Hockey Team on many occasions.

 “Captaining the Indian Men’s Hockey Team was a good experience no doubt, and we played some good hockey as well. I was Captain at an Olympics, World Cup and even an Asian Games, and it was definitely a very proud experience.” 

“Everyone keenly waited for the India vs Pakistan games. The tempo, pace and intensity in that contest are unmatched. We played Pakistan quite a few games, some we have won, while they took the honours on other occasions. And the competition between the two teams was quite tough at that time, because both sides had excellent players. And the fans would always tell us that we shouldn’t lose to Pakistan, so the pressure of the moment was quite high,” he narrated. 

“The tension was always very high and the games were really close. The tickets for the India-Pakistan games were always the first ones to get sold out. And the stadiums were never not packed.” 

Looking ahead to the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar - Rourkela 2023, Tirkey hopes that not only the players but also the fans have a great time in his home state, which has always afforded the sport a lot of affection. 

The former Captain went on to say that in recent years the Indian Men’s Hockey Team have been improving steadily on all fronts, whether it be fitness or the technical aspects of the game. Impressed by the steady and continued improvements over the years, Tirkey is quietly confident that the Indian Team coached by Graham Reid will do well at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar - Rourkela 2023. 

India’s most experienced player further went on to add, “I want them to put their best foot forward and play with confidence. The team has quality players and I would like to join all of the hockey family in wishing the Indian Men’s Hockey Team all the very best for January.”