The last day of the year 2020 proved to be a day of thunderclap and shock for Indian hockey fans. When we all stood in front of destiny, Michael Kindo, one of the brightest stars of Indian hockey and one of my best friends, said goodbye to us. I could not believe that the most reliable partner of Indian hockey’s defence line would leave this way. Whether it was the World Cup 1971, Munich Olympics 1972, Amsterdam World Cup 1973 or Kuala Lumpur World Cup 1975, where India became the world champions, Michael Kindo as a team member played an important role in our wins.
Former India hockey player and 1975 World Cup-winning team member Michael Kindo died on Thursday at the age of 73.
“He never let team members get depressed. With his simple and kind nature, he knew the wonderful art of keeping the atmosphere happy. To the tunes of English songs, he would make a stick look like a guitar and make everyone dance.”
He never let team members get depressed. With his simple and kind nature, he knew the wonderful art of keeping the atmosphere happy. To the tunes of English songs, he would make a stick look like a guitar and make everyone dance. His memories are floating in front of my eyes and making me feel nostalgic. We cannot believe that Michael Kindo, whom we all fondly called Kindi bhai, is no longer with us.
It was almost impossible for players of the rival team’s forward line to defeat Kindo. As long as Kindo was placed at the Indian D, scoring a goal by the opponent was quite impossible. His ball dribbling was equally beautiful, along with his neat tackling. Even on the field, he would defend himself like defence personnel, just like he protected the country’s maritime frontier as a Naval Officer.
One of my 1975 WC winning teammates, he left all of us today. The great Surjit Singh, and Mohinder Pal Singh Munshi are also no more with us, and remembering all these players reminds me of the great Maratha lion Shivaji Pawar. All members of the 1975 World Cup winning team had met at the Odisha World Cup during the honours ceremony, where Kindo’s presence had been missed due to his health issues. Acknowledging his honours, his relatives were a part of the occasion. We had all missed him.
He served the national team with as much passion as he served as an Indian Navy officer. He would always be remembered as an Arjuna Awardee winner by us all. I convey my condolences to his family and pray for them in this difficult time. At this crucial moment, the entire hockey fraternity stands by their side in his memory.
The writer was a teammate of Michael Kindo in several World Cups and the Olympics.