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Hockey India president and living legend Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey released first-ever book on Asia Cup authored by noted hockey historian K. Arumugam here at Western Gallery, Kalinga Stadium, in Bhubaneswar in a simple but impressive function.
Cover of K Arumuga’s 15th Book cover
Dr Dilip Tirkey said: “I played four Asia Cups. I know for well how significant and competitive this continental tournament has been. We players have achieved a lot with toil and hardwork behind. This work by popular hockey scribe K. Arumugam highlights our feats. It is full of historical facts, with adequate photographs and statistics. Am happy he has come out with this book. It will serve as a reference book for new generation sports fans, administrators and media persons.”
Dr Dilip Tirkey noted with nostalgia: “Mr Arumugam wrote my brief biography entitled ‘Olympic Captain Dilip Tirkey’ after India won the Afro-Asian Games under my captaincy. It was released here in Bhubaneswar 22 years ago. Am happy one of his books is being released here again today”.
“Hockey Association of Odisha is happy to jointly organize this book release function with Bhasukinath Group on its soils” said beaming Dr. Dilip.
‘Turf Battles’ K. Arumugam’s 15th book. His last book MARCH OF GLORY: The Story of India’s 1975 World Cup triumph’ was released five months ago at New Delhi by Dr. Dilip Tirkey.
‘Turf Battles’ highlights how those players particularly from tribal belts formed the core of the Indian team when ever India won the Cup.
Only Six Indian players have won the Asia Cup Gold twice, two are from tribal areas, Dilip Tirkey and Bimal Lakra. Further, Dr Dilip Tirkey is among the three players who participated four times in the Asia Cup.
The book deals how India played a pivotal role in the inception of the Asia Cup, which was put on board 43 years ago by the Asian Hockey Federation.
“We have won the Asia Cup thrice, am part of two of them in 2003 and 2007. The first one was won at Kuala Lumpur and the second at Chennai. Its third time India hosts the premier tournament after 1989 and 2007. The 12th Asia Cup will commence in two days at Rajgir, Bihar. It will be our fourth Asia Cup title. Our team now in Rajigir, led by our penalty corner expert Harmanpreet Singh will definitely will win the crown at Rajgir”, said confident Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey.
The book was supported by Bhasukinath Group and Delhi based NGO, OTHL.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE BOOK
The 144-page book is in three parts.
PART 1: Traces origin of Asia Cup and how India lost four finals in a row before making ‘Double Delight’ in 2003 & 2007. All vital moments of the 43-year history of Asia Cup is captured in a lucid manner.
PART 2: Brings out rare statistics of India at Asia Cup
PART 3: Contains All teams, scorers, etc of all 11 Asia Cup held so far.
The book has 40 vintage images, hitherto unseen.
For further information contact: Dr. Dilip Tirkey or K. Arumugam, author, at 9811662081