Ex-Indian Hockey Captain Prabodh Tirkey to Join Congress, Eyes 2024 Odisha Assembly Polls

Bhubaneswar: Former captain of the Indian Hockey team, Prabodh Tirkey, is set to join the Congress party in Odisha, with aspirations to contest the 2024 Assembly polls from the Talsara constituency in Sundargarh.

Expressing his intentions, Tirkey highlighted his commitment to addressing the neglected state of his region, where tribal communities lack the benefits of government initiatives.

Hailing from the Sundargarh district, Tirkey comes from a family with historical ties to the Congress party. His decision to align with the party stems from the involvement of some of his family members in its ranks. This association has motivated him to contribute effectively to the party’s endeavours.

Tirkey’s illustrious career includes being a pivotal member of the Indian Hockey team that secured victory in the 2007 Asia Cup held in Chennai. His family has a strong sporting tradition, with his elder brother Ignace Tirkey also having represented the Indian Hockey team. Tirkey’s contributions have been acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Ekalavya Puraskar in 2001 and the Biju Patnaik State Sports Award in 2009.