Sundargarh based Dilip Tirkey Fans Club organized a massive rally at
Sundargarh today (Monday) to mark their anger against the damaging
remarks made by the Orissa Hockey Association Secretary, Pratap
Satpathy. Satpathy has recently blamed Dilip Tirkey for Orissa
Steelers’ inability to defend the recently concluded Premier Hockey
League.

At the end of the rally, in which Satpathy’s effigy was burnt, it has
been decided to send a delegation consisting of Seven Member of
Legislative Assembly and two Member of Parliament, to Delhi. They
propose to meet the Indian Hockey Federation’s top officials to
apprise the situation and also to demand de-recognition of the
present Orissa Hockey Association in order to save the game in this
vital region of the country. Players from Orissa, read the tribal belt
of Sundargarh, accounts for sizeable number in the recent and present
national teams.

A large number of sports lovers, hockey players and public from the
villages of Saunamura, Lulkidihi, Kurmi, Balisankara, Khampur
participated in the rally under the supervision of Kuldeep Pratap Deo
(Nualal) and Pitambar Sekhar Deo. The rally commenced from Bhawani
Bhawan Grounds and meandered through Rangadhipa, Sunaripara, Regent
Market, B.S.High School (where Dilip Tirkey studied) and ended at the
busy private bus stand area. Here, a protest meeting was held and the
effigy of Secretary, O.H.A. was also burnt, amidst a mixed feeling of
anger and indignation. The show of which Sunil Pattanaik (President,
Dilip Tirkey Fan’s Club, Sundargarh) was the force behind, struck a
chord with the public and local political block.

Dr. Prafulla Majhi (M.L.A., Talsara), Sri. Gregory Minz (M.L.A.,
Rajgangpur), Smt. Sushama Patel (M.L.A., Sadar, Sundargarh), Sri.
Kishore Ch. Patel (Ex-Speaker), Sri. Anand Ch. Naik (Secretary,
D.A.A., Sundargarh) condemned the Secretary’s irresponsible statement
on Dilip Tirkey. It was resolved here that a political delegation will
go to Delhi and meet the IHF officials to demand de-recognisation of
present O.H.A. set up and to take necessary steps to form a new O.H.A.
which needs to be head-quartered at Sundargarh itself.

At the end of the rally, the demonstrators met A.D.M., Sundargarh &
handed over the Memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister.

The rally was organized by Jitendra, Raja, Gouranga, Lalat Parida,
Chitta Ranjan Naik, Tuna, Manmohan, Jhulu Barla, Chura Barla, Jyoti
Tirkey, Prabha, Deepak Tirkey.