'Tyron' on the run!
(The above news was published in The Indian Express on May 31, 2012
Medio Tyron Pereira has been the creative lynchpin for Mumbai hockey this season
Very often owing to the already limited attention that hockey gets in cricket-mad India, it's always the strikers, drag-flickers and goalkeepers who end up hogging all available media-mentions. But, it is often the adroit game of midfielders that helps strikers in scooping into the nets and their resilient defence at the same time which drives back the oncoming attack.
Yet, despite all that indifference towards midfielders, one name is quietly doing the rounds of popular hockey circles in India. Tyron Pereira, the 24-year-old right-half Mumbai player, who was instrumental in Mumbai's unbeaten run in the West Zone Senior National Hockey Championship has earned praise for his stellar performance in the hockey arena. The proficient athlete not only successfully captained the side but was also responsible for Mumbai securing the title and extending their domineering display. Says his Mumbai coach Ramesh Pillay, "He displays an amazing sensibility on the field, both with the stick and his behavior. Our decision to make him the captain for the tournament bore fruit."
As a child, Tyron was always good at sports. “From my childhood, I have played all possible sports though I was introduced to hockey in the second standard itself,” says the former Air India player. The Bandraite remained in the St Andrews institution for his college as well as school before moving on to Rizvi College for the final year. “I was facing low attendance issues due to my constant participation in the hockey, basketball and football tournaments and the college was very strict about attending classes hence I had to move to Rizvi College, which is quite well known for encouraging participation in sports,” chuckles Periera.
After his graduation, Pereira played with Indian Oil on contract basis for four years before joining Air India for a brief stint of six months. That is when ONGC, his present employer, came into play. Captivated by his scintillating display on the field and amazing control on the ball, ONGC picked him up on temporary basis before finally employing him in 2010. “I was picked up only on trial basis but when we started performing well in tournaments the coach loved my performance and he signed me on to play for ONGC,” says Periera who works there as an Assistant finance and Accounts officer. Periera will soon move to Nainital for the fitness camp organised by ONGC.
Quiz him about his dream and the Bachcha’, as he is famously called by his team mates says, "I wish to play for India. That has eluded me. I have played most of the domestic tournaments and have been lucky to win quite a few of them. I hope to play for India if i get a chance. I do not understand the selection process but I am trying hard and hopefully I will get a call for the Indian team soon," grins the Mumbai captain as it is hard to escape the disturbing disappointment in his tone.
For Joaquim Carvalho, former Indian Hockey team coach and Arjuna awardee, his Bandra ward is perfect 'India material' as he prefers to call him. Retorts Carvalho, “It’s frustrating why such a talented player has not been given even one chance in the Indian team. I have seen him play since the age of ten and it's a surprise, we have not picked up such a world class player. His physical fitness, positioning in the field, basic hockey skills make him a complete player. He should be definitely considered for the forthcoming Indian tournaments.”
Periera's mother passed away last year while his father lives a retired life. The star player's brother is an engineer who is currently employed in Infosys.
Earlier this year, Periera played the World Series hockey tournament for Pune Strykers - surprising finalists, who made it to the end despite lack of star players in their ranks. As it is evidently hard to miss the big news, Pereira is the only player to be rested for only three minutes in the entire hockey tournament. Says his Pune Strykers coach Gundeep Kumar, “I had seen him playing for ONGC and since that time, I thought of him as a great asset for the team and he didn't disappoint me either. The lad has outstanding energy levels coupled with his flair and finesse in the field. He rightly anticipates the movement of the ball and plays well. He is definitely the player Indian Hockey needs at the moment,” echoes Gundeep.
As heaps of praises come from all sections, the ingenious midfielder is still cooling his heels at the moment as he hopes for his long awaited call from the Indian team.
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