PTI

New Delhi, Apr 20: Fourteen years and 406 games after making his international debut, hockey defender Dilip Tirkey has still got enough ammunition to last a few more years.

In a game where there's limited recognition and financial rewards are scarce, the soft-spoken former captain has still got reasons to remain motivated.

"Playing for the country is a huge thing. There's nothing like it," the 31-year-old, a veteran of three Olympics and a host of other international tournaments, told TOI.

"Moreover, when you see the passion of even small kids in my native Sundergarh district in Orissa, who try to model themselves after players like me, Ignace (Tirkey) and Prabodh (Tirkey), you take it as your reward. Believe it or not, there are many players in Orissa who sustain their family with hockey. And it's a huge motivation when you know that you are their inspiration."

Tirkey recently rewrote the history books by becoming the highest capped player in the world. He surpassed the Netherland's Jerome Delmee's record of 401 matches during the just concluded Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

Tirkey, one of the best defenders the country has produced, believes in having a positive approach to life.

So much so that he does not like talking about the negative aspects of his playing career - even though he must have seen many of them while playing under several unpredictable and volatile officials.

"Honestly I have no major bad experience (off the field). I never felt threatened as a player. For the better part of my career I have been an automatic choice."

And on the field? "I have seen so many ups and downs in my career. Nothing hurts like losing a match or being knocked out of the tournament. The biggest disappointment was not making it to the Beijing Olympics."