By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 24, 2022: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday congratulated the newly elected Hockey India (HI) president Dilip Tirkey, saying that the latter will take the game to new heights.

“Congratulate @DilipTirkey- former Hockey Team Captain from #Odisha, on being elected as the President of @TheHockeyIndia. I am sure, being an illustrious player himself from the cradle of Indian hockey, he will take the game to new heights. Wish him all the very best,” Patnaik said in a tweet.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) September 23, 2022

Tirkey became the first hockey player from Odisha, who was elected for the top post. He has won 412 international caps. He has also represented India in several World Cups, Asian Games, Asia Cups and Champions Trophies.

Odisha Sports and Youth Services Secretary R. Vineel Krishna also congratulated Tirkey on being elected to the top post in Indian hockey.

Stating it is a proud moment for Odisha, Krishan said, “Under his leadership, I am sure there will be new momentum towards hockey development in the country.”

Former India hockey captain and a member of the 1998 Asian Games gold medal-winning side, Dilip Tirkey, on Friday was elected as the Hockey India (HI) president, after two others, who had filed nominations for the post, withdrew before the elections.
Tirkey made his international debut in 1995 against England and represented India in three Olympics – Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004).

After his retirement from international hockey in 2010, Tirkey was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha as one of the three Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidates.

Prior to that, he was working as chairman of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation. He is currently serving as the chairman of the Odisha Hockey Promotion Council which works for the development of grassroots hockey in Odisha.