Peter Tirkey, Unsung Hero Who Pioneered Odisha’s Hockey Revolution

He doesn’t have credentials like Dilip Tirkey, Michael Kindo or Ignace Tirkey in terms of international matches played. But that doesn’t make Peter Tirkey any ordinary soul. His value to Odisha hockey is second to none.

Just like Sunil Gavaskar will be remembered for eternity as the first cricketer to scale the 10,000 Test runs peak, Peter has etched an indelible mark in Odisha sport as the state’s first hockey international.

Born in the early 1960s at Subdega in Sundargarh district, Peter took a fancy for the stick sport as a schoolboy. But despite being talented, he didn’t have the luxury of proper coaching as training facilities in Sundargarh and Rourkela were non-existent at that time.

A completely self-made player, Peter’s defensive qualities attracted attention and he made his debut for Odisha in the Junior National championship in 1980.

Before long, he graduated to the Odisha senior team and helped them reach the semifinals of the National meet held in Jabalpur.

In 1982, Peter scripted history when he received a call-up to the national team for the second FIH Junior World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. India won 3, lost 1 and drew 1 in Pool B to tie on points with Australia. But despite boasting of a much better goal difference, India missed out on a semifinal spot on head-to-head record, having lost a 5-goal thriller to Australia. India went on to beat Spain and The Netherlands in classification contests to finished fifth.

Known to be a gentle giant, Peter represented Odisha till 1991, leading the state in the 1986 Nationals.

He worked at Larsen & Toubro for five years before joining Rourkela Steel Plant in 1988. That gave him the opportunity and satisfaction to coach young players at the SAIL Hockey Academy.

Among his wards who have made a mark on the international stage are Birendra Lakra, Shilanand Lakra and Pankaj Rajak.

Peter enjoyed coaching at the SAIL Academy till he retired recently.

He has remained an unsung hero, sans any noteworthy recognition or honour.