BHUBANESWAR 27-Apr-2007 84
The appointment of Orissa mid-fielder Prabodh Tirkey as the captain of India’s men’s hockey team for the Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, may reverse the dwindling fortunes of the game in the country.
‘‘He is young, energetic, consistent and aggressive. He led India successfully at sub-junior and junior levels. He can repeat the success at senior level too. Indian Hockey Federation has taken a wise decision by appointing him as captain,’’ said Olympian Lazrus Barla on Wednesday.
‘‘Including so many youngsters in the side augurs well for Indian hockey. These youngsters can serve as the core team atleast for the next five years,’’ felt Barla, who played two World Cup in 1998 and 2002.
At the age of 16, Prabodh led the country to sub-junior Asia Cup gold in 2000 and then played a major role in India’s 2001 Junior World Cup victory in Hobart. Later that year, he also captained the Indian team to title triumph in the Poznan Junior Challenge in Poland.
A product of Rourkela-based Panposh Sports Hostel, Prabodh represented India in last year’s World Cup at Monchengladbach.
A two-time Premier Hockey League gold medallist with Bangalore Lions and Orissa Steelers, Prabodh believes his experience of leading the country at the junior level will help him manage the post in the senior side successfully.
A traffic officer with Indian Airlines, 23-year-old Prabodh admits he does not have any specific plan to carry out as the skipper. ‘‘First of all, I had no prior knowledge that I would be made captain. Hence, I have no specific plans to implement,’’ admitted Prabodh over phone from Bangalore, where he has been training for the past three weeks.
‘‘Moreover, planning is a responsibility of chief coach Joaquim Carvalho and he is doing the job extreemely well. On the other hand, my job is to successfully carry out the plans on the field. I will give my best to live up to the chief coach’s expectations in this regard,’’ explained Prabodh.
Like the chief coach, the new captain said his team would give its 100 per cent to win a medal at Ipoh but did not guarantee it. ‘‘We would go match by match and aim to return home with a medal,’’ he said.
Prabodh denied that his elevation to the post of captain would close the doors on his senior State and Airlinesmate Dilip Tirkey for a return to the National side. ‘‘It was not true that he was axed as captain. His professional commitment in Europe did not allow him to return home for National duty. We will certainly miss him in the Azlan Shah tournament,’’ admitted Prabodh.
A stylish and fun-loving youth, Prabodh also ruled out any change in life-style after becoming the youngest captain of the National hockey team. ‘‘I will continue to love music, bikes and of course hockey. Cutting short my hair is the only change I have made on the advice of our chief coach,’’ he revealed with a chuckle.
Prabodh, who obtained his senior India colours under Rajinder Singh in 2002, has played over 50 senior internationals so far. But missing the Olympic Games due to back injury remains biggest disappointment for him till date.
