Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey inspects Gachibowli facilities ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey visited Gachibowli Hockey Complex to review renovations, including two new astro-turfs, ahead of the FIH Women’s World Cup qualifiers. He highlighted coaching programmes, future Hockey India League prospects, and praised State Government support.

Hyderabad: For Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey it was a ‘homecoming’ of sorts when he visited the Gachibowli Hockey Complex on Thursday morning to get a first-hand view of the two new astro-turfs being laid at the venue besides renovation works in the Grand Pavilion block.

“I remember vividly when I led Hyderabad Sultans (with a Hyderabadi Narinderpal Singh as head coach) to victory in the first Premier Hockey League in 2005. I also played lot of hockey for India here and was a member of the Indian camps held here in the past,” 48-year-old Tirkey said in a chat with ‘Telangana Today’.

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“Now after a long gap a major event, the FIH Women’s World Cup qualifiers, is being held here next month and all these efforts are going at a very satisfying pace. Thanks to the complete support of the State Government and I must appreciate the agency Mr. Vikram Chopra, MD of Altius Sports & Leisure Pvt Ltd, and representing TigerTurf New Zealand Ltd, which is executing the job at Field 1 and Field 2,” said the former India captain, accompanied by Madhukaran, former SAI Administrator at Gachibowli .

“By all means, the World Cup qualifiers should be a great success,” he added. “Well, Hyderabad produced some of the finest players like Mukesh Kumar, Edwards Alloysius. So, I sincerely believe this renovated hockey complex under floodlights will give a new fillip to the sport,” Tirkey said.

“From the Hockey India side, the emphasis will be on coaching programmes for the age group teams with focus on forming a pool of quality goalkeepers, forwards and defenders. National camps can also
be conducted in Hyderabad with the support of the State Government,” he said.

“Yes, we didn’t do well in the home-leg of the FIH Pro League. We were inconsistent. But, I am optimistic of better results in the coming leg in Hobart (Australia),” Tirkey said. “Hockey India League is a huge success and now there is a possibility that Hyderabad can also host the HIL matches in future given the new facilities here. We are also planning to take the League to Northern
India,” he said.

“It is a different kind of challenge and very tough to be President of Hockey India compared to being a player. When you hold a key position, it is quite natural to face criticism on various subjects but you have to take it in the right spirit,” Tirkey signed off.