After the doomed Olympic qualification campaign, veteran Indian defender Dilip Tirkey wants to take a break from hockey for three months to recover from an ankle injury and decide on his future.The former national skipper has requested Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president KPS Gill that he may not be considered for assignments during this period. The 30-year-old defender will thus miss the four-nation tournament in Australia next month when India will be pitted against the hosts and Korea and China. India are to play another four-nation tourney in Dublin in June.“Since I am recovering from an ankle injury, I have requested the IHF president and the team management not to consider me for a period of three months, by which time I will be fully fit,” Tirkey said.The veteran is still undecided as to how long he will continue in the game. “As far as my future goes, I will come to a decision after due consultation with the federation,” he said. Tirkey wants to work with upcoming players and teach them the tricks of the trade to excel at the top level after he leaves the scene. “During the three-month period, I would like to help young players become potent defenders. I foresee a bright future for defenders like Samir Baxla, Manjit Kulu and Innocent Kulu.“All these players have the ability and I am confident they will step into my shoes once I decide to call it a day from competitive hockey,” he said. He also felt several juniors coming up the ranks had it in them to play for India. “My ambition is to make Indian youngsters, particularly defenders at the junior level, to be fighting fit. These players have the ability to create initiatives from deep defence to help India win matches,” Tirkey added.
