Injured Dilip Tirkey opts out of PHL

Former Indian hockey captain, Dilip Tirkey, who is injured, has opted out of playing in the Professional Hockey league...

Former Indian hockey captain, Dilip Tirkey, who is injured, has opted out of playing in the Professional Hockey league starting in Chandigarh next month.

The dependable defender, who had captained the country in Athens Olympics in 2004, had suffered an ankle injury during the Asia Cup and aggravated it while playing at home. He has been advised rest to be able to give his hundred per cent during the Olympic qualifier in Santiago in March next year.

Talking from Bangalore, Tirkey, who has been nominated as captain of the Orissa Steelers team in the PHL, said: “My doctor has advised me rest. There is nothing to worry.”

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Joaquim Carvalho, chief coach of India, said Tirkey was training at the camp. “There is no worry about his minor injury. I find him to be in his elements and there are fitness worries. But he has been advised rest before the all-important Olympic qualifier.”

Carvalho added: “Tirkey is an experienced player and a vital cog as a defender. We need to preserve him as any further complications will rule him out.”

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