Anybody Getting into Politics Has To Be Like A Wall, Says Dilip Tirkey, The Wall Of Indian hockey

Dilip Tirkey will not be Lionel Richie. However when requested the rationale he obtained into politics, he sounds just like the American pop star, who as soon as sang, “There comes a time, after we heed a sure name.” (More Hockey News)

That was the opening line of ‘We Are the World’, when 46 pop and rock superstars assembled collectively within the 80s for a charity initiative in Africa. A number of years later, and in a unique context, heeding a sure name is what Tirkey did when he stepped into the political ring a couple of decade in the past. The previous India hockey defender and Olympian, nicknamed ‘The Wall of Indian Hockey’, grew to become a Rajya Sabha MP. He then contested within the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and went down combating to the BJP’s Jual Oram. 

At the moment, Tirkey, who hails from the tribal village of Saunamara in Odisha, is the president of Hockey India. He’s busy with preparations for the Males’s World Cup, to be held in his residence state from January 13. Matches will happen in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar. Whereas the state capital is not any stranger to massive video games, Rourkela can be a debutant host. It has constructed a contemporary stadium for the occasion and named it after Birsa Munda, the tribal freedom fighter.    

Outlook chatted with Tirkey about World Cup preparations, and his expertise of politics. 

How are the World Cup preparations coming alongside?

It has been a dream to carry the World Cup to Rourkela, the place hockey runs within the blood of the individuals. Preparations are on in full swing. The Indian staff arrived right here on December 27 and can be utilizing the principle pitch to organize. Some ending touches to the venue are being given. 

The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar has already established itself as a world-class venue. Now the onus is on us to make sure the groups and spectators benefit from the hockey expertise in each Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. 

The response from followers has been good, too. Tickets for all India matches offered out inside 24 hours of gross sales commencing. 

Any considerations about new Covid instances?  

I’ve learn reviews concerning the latest surge in some international locations. All precautions and checks have been put in place to assist guarantee a easy event. 

The ladies’s staff received the FIH Nations Cup just a few days in the past. What are your feedback on their efficiency?  

It was a tremendous feat. They’ve had a implausible yr, profitable the CWG 2022 bronze medal and a third-place end within the FIH Hockey Professional League. The Nations Cup win has earned the ladies’s staff a spot within the Ladies’s Professional League subsequent yr, so this is a crucial win for the staff. Forward of the Asian Video games subsequent yr, it’s a shot of their arm. I’ve nothing however reward for (captain) Savita Punia and Co and I hope they proceed to carry extra glory and medals.

You additionally waded into political waters after your taking part in profession. What made you try this?

Everybody has issues they wish to do or contribute in the direction of. And there comes a time, when an individual should do one thing about that; both for society, sports activities, for the tribal individuals, as I come from the tribal neighborhood. That’s the reason I joined politics. 

I additionally had the blessings of our CM, Naveenji Patnaik, and for that I’m grateful to him. Even once I was a participant, he was there for us. Some years in the past, hockey was slipping in our nation. However the Odisha authorities took up the game in a giant approach.  They’re sponsoring all of Hockey India. See the place hockey is in the present day. And now we’re able to host the World Cup. (Odisha dedicated Rs 100 crore in the direction of sponsoring the Indian males’s and girls’s groups from 2018 to 2023. They’ve introduced they may lengthen the deal for ten years after 2023).

What points would trouble you personally, and which you needed to deal with as a politician?

Being an athlete I knew sports activities the most effective, and the challenges a sportsperson faces.  However as a political determine your radar can’t be restricted to sports activities. Har ek sector me itne points aapko dikhenge (You will notice so many points in each sector). Schooling, well being, farmers, tribals. It’s a must to become involved with them. I suppose that’s what occurred with me.  

Most of my work was in sports activities although. I used to be concerned in a drive to demand the Bharat Ratna for Dhyan Chand, assist for Mohammed Shahid and his household and labored in the direction of rising the Nationwide Sports activities Improvement Fund.

Like Rahul Dravid, you had been known as The Wall. Does one must be like a wall in politics?

Anybody coming into politics needs to be like a wall. Individuals don’t at all times assume extremely of politicians however they must be there to face conditions and maintain issues. 

What did you be taught out of your defeat within the 2014 Lok Sabha elections?

It didn’t go the best way I hoped it might. The hockey area is comparatively small. Politics bada maidan hai (Politics is a giant sport). You’ll want to put together accordingly. I really feel my preparation was missing. 

Will you contest once more?

If the occasion offers me an opportunity, I’ll.

Sportspersons like Gautam Gambhir are full-time politicians now, and also you’ve had a stint as properly. Do you assume extra athletes ought to get into politics? 

Bilkul (Definitely). We’re fortunate we obtained to play for India, when hundreds don’t. So after we get an opportunity to do one thing for individuals, we should always.