Ignace was born on 10 May 1981 in Lulkidhi village of Sundargarh district of Odisha.
Ignace Tirkey, former captain of Indian hockey team
Many players have contributed to make Indian Hockey a reputation at the international level. There have been many players who have come out of the land of the country, who strengthened the team with their great game and gave them the best wins. One such name is Ignace Tirkey. Ignace had strengthened the team with his wonderful game and remained in the important members of the team as long as he remained in the team. This midfielder was famous for his calm nature and superb hockey work. Ignace’s nature may have been quiet, but he was known for playing aggressive hockey. This is the talk of this player today in the Golden Days series.
Ignace was born on 10 May 1981 in Lulkidhi village of Sundargarh district of Odisha. This state has given many great hockey players to India and Ignace also proved to be one of them. Ignace spent his early days at Pamposh Sports Hostel in Rourkela and Birsa Munda High School. In 1998, he joined the Madras Engineering Group and then played hockey with Services. After impressing with his game at home level, Ignace also got the national team jersey. In February 2001, he made his international debut in the Akbar Al Yom tournament against Belgium. In the same year, he was also part of the junior World Cup winning team.
Historical goal scored in Asia Cup
There is definitely a moment in every player’s career that makes him a hero and who has a different identity in his career. This moment came very early in Ignace’s career. In 2003, two years after his debut, he scored a goal in the Asia Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan at a time when the team needed him the most and this goal marked India’s first Asia Cup victory. In the final of the Asia Cup-2003, the score of India and Pakistan was equal to 2-2. Then Ignace gave India a lead by scoring a brilliant goal and from here India did not look back. India lifted the Asia Cup trophy for the first time, winning the match 4–2 with another goal.
Ignace had become an important member of the team. Since 2001, he has rarely been excluded from the team. Ignace later captained the team. He captained the country in the Test series against Pakistan in 2006 and he was also the captain of the team in the Commonwealth Games this year. He also played the Olympics in 2004.
Hurt due to injuries
In his early career, Ignace, who was constantly recognized by his sport, was also worried about injuries. In 2006, he had a knee injury which later became too big for him. Similarly, he also suffered an ankle injury at the camp in Pune. He was also ruled out due to injuries and then made a comeback in the Punjab Gold Cup in 2009. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2009 and the Padma Shri Award in 2010. Troubled by injuries, things were no longer easy for Ignace, but still he was playing continuously. The Indian team did not qualify for the Olympics in 2008 but the team made it to the 2012 London Olympics. Ignace was with the team but the team’s performance in these games was very disappointing and then Ignace had to leave the team.
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