Team Orisports 06-Jul-2010 344
The second Ricoh Hockey Star of the Year (2008-09) Award was bestowed on Olympian Dilip Tirkey at a function here today. Khurda District Hockey Association (KDHA) president Prava Ranjan Patnaik and Ricoh India Limited Operation Manager Debasish Chakraborty presented the award, which carried a cheque of Rs 11,000.
KDHA working president Nabin Das, secretary Pankaj Patnaik, several eminent sportspersons and coaches were present on the occasion. The annual award was instituted in the year 2007-08 by KDHA and sponsors Ricoh India Limited with an aim to encourage hockey players of Orissa.
The then India captain Prabodh Tirkey became the first recepient of the award in February 2008. The award for the year 2008-09 could not be given in 2009 due to unavoidable reasons.
Former India captain Dilip Tirkey, who retired from international hockey six weeks ago, thanked KDHA and Ricoh India Limited for their noble gesture. ‘‘The award is sure to inspire hockey players work hard and achieve many more laurels for the state and the country,’’ he said.
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PHOTO: Olympian Dilip Tirkey (2nd from R) lets his son receive the Ricoh Hockey Star of the Year Award for him in Bhubaneswar on July 6, 2010.
