In a country where cricket has almost cult-like status, and where other games are usually sidelined, new heroes are silently emerging in these ‘lesser’ sports. Until not long ago, hockey was considered the country’s national sport, with India winning more Olympic golds in that event than any other till date. With India continuously showing improved performances on the international scene, and with the advent of the HIL, Indian hockey seems to be moving in the right direction.
One such athlete silently excelling is local Bandra boy Tyron Pereira. Standing at 5’6”, this 26 year old seems unassuming and shy, but once on the hockey pitch, this lad is transformed into a robust player, with an ingenious game.
A versatile sportsperson since his school days, with a lot of hard work, perseverance and discipline, Tyron has come a long way, now plying his trade with state-run Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) in Delhi, where he captains the side, but he says the fruit of his efforts will be borne the day he gets to don the Indian colours.
Studying in St. Andrew’s School, Tyron played for his school football, hockey and basketball teams, and almost landed up pursuing basketball, but after weighing the pros and cons decided to go with hockey. Spotting his outstanding talent then, Hockey Bandra, a local team gave him the exposure to a more advanced level of hockey, and there’s been no looking back since. A protégé of Joaquim Carvalho, former Indian hockey player, coach and Arjuna Awardee, Tyron picked up the ropes of the game and in 2006, when he was just 16, got himself a call to play with Indian Oil. Four years later, he moved to Air India for a six month stint where his outstanding performance landed him a posting with his current employer ONGC.
In 2012, Tyron was drafted into the Pune Strykers squad for the lucrative World Series Hockey (WSH) league, where he scored in the finals of the tournament, although his team ended second best. Notably, he was the most played player of his team, sitting on the bench for just three minutes throughout the tournament. Such was his influence on the team’s performance. This right midfielder lays special emphasis on discipline. “Discipline is essential to succeed; besides the right attitude and respect. He says, “It’s easy to have the wrong attitude when you think you’re the best, but with that attitude you cannot succeed. It’s necessary to keep practising, keep your focus, and more importantly, keep your head on shoulders.”
Earlier in January this year, Tyron was bagged in the HIL auction by Dabang Mumbai for a sum of $3000. Playing alongside Belgian expert Tom Boon, Glenn Turner and the like, Tyron was yet again an invaluable asset to his team.
When asked what the Indian team lacks when it comes to winning consistently on the international scene, Tyron says that technology is the biggest differentiating factor, and not fitness. “Indians have the fitness, but most of the time it’s the finer aspects of the game that cost us. The foreign coaches are able to help us with that, and these tiny bits of advice are invaluable,” he says, citing the incident where he tackled Aussie ace Jamie Dwyer, and the next instant got retackled.
More recently, this Rizvi graduate captained the Mumbai outfit at the Senior National level tournament held in Pune last month where he helped his team qualify for the National Games to be held in Goa next year. Bachcha as he is fondly called by close friends, when he’s not playing hockey, Tyron likes to spend time cycling, in the gym, or playing basketball or tennis. His mother has been his constant support throughout, and even though she passed away a few years ago, his fondness for her is evident from the fact that whenever he scores a goal, she is the first person he remembers.
With his consistent performances in tournaments across the country, it shouldn’t be long for another Bandra boy to represent the nation and we hope it happens soon.
