BHUBANESWAR 29-May-2010 191
Atrocious behavour and autocratic functioning of Kalinga Stadium in-charge Prasant Kumar Sahu, alias Kalu, crossed all limits when hockey Olympian Dilip Tirkey, the all-time greatest sportsperson of the state, became a victim of the raw deal.
Deeply hurt by the ill-treatment, the former India hockey captain today announced that he would not enter the city-based stadium till the completion of the construction work of a hockey stadium there. ‘‘I was misbehaved several times while me and my fellow internationals were conducting a six-a-side hockey tournament earlier this month. Today the stadium in-charge not only denied entry to players for practice but also abused eminent physio Dr Kirti Prasad Dash, who had gone there to help the players,’’ alleged Tirkey, who was visibly very upset.
‘‘We have formed a new team in the name of Orissa Stars, which has been invited to participate in the CM’s Cup All-India Hockey Tournament to be held at Bangalore from June 12 to 23. I had informed State Sports Director Dr P K Pradhan that the players would be using the Kalinga Stadium ground and swimming pool for practice and training. But the stadium in-charge denied entry saying that he did not know Dilip Tirkey and had received no official order in this connection,’’ stated the former highest-capped international, who announced his retirement from international hockey earlier this month.
It is astonishing that despite repeated complains from all segments of the sports fraternity, the State Sports Department has not taken any action against Sahu, who has been harassing users of the stadium regularly. Earlier this month, he told Tirkey not to enter the stadium after 7.00 PM and even threatened to stop him at the gate.
Last year, he banned a tennis coach’s entry to the stadium for several months because the latter was playing after 10.00 AM. Basically a volleyball coach, Sahu was earlier dismissed from service on charges of molesting a sports hostel inmate, but was reinstated later.
Meanwhile, Tirkey announced that he would lead the Orissa Stars in the Bangalore tournament, which carries cash prizes of Rs 6 lakhs for the winners and Rs 3 lakhs for the runners-up. Besides, each participating team would get an appearance fee of Rs 1 lakh.
Olympian Lazrus Barla would be the playing-coach of the team, which comprises players from Rourkela-based Panposh Sports Hostel and SAIL Hockey Academy. The players are undergoing a week-long coaching camp here at KIIT University campus. After another camp at Rourkela from June 1 to 8, the team would leave for Bangalore on June 9. Efforts are being made to include some players from the Indian camp and Orissa players emplyed outside the state.
Orissa Mining Corporation has agreed to sponsor the team, which has been formed by Dilip Tirkey Sports Research and Development Foundation.
