Michael Kindo
Michael Kindo (28 June 1946 – 31 December 2020) was an Indian field hockey player from the tribal region of Jharkhand. He played as a fullback and represented India in major tournaments from 1969 to 1976, including the 1972 Munich Olympics (bronze) and three World Cups: 1971 bronze, 1973 silver, and 1975 gold. He also played at the 1974 Tehran Asian Games. In 1972 he became the first Adivasi sportsperson to receive the Arjuna Award.
Kindo was known for hard tackles, quick dodges, and a famous no-look pass. Teammates said he was dependable, careful, and a true team player who made solid defense look easy. He was born in a village in what is now Jharkhand; he first learned hockey at RC Boys Middle School in Kurdeg and later joined the Indian Navy, where his career advanced. He played for the Services hockey team from 1966 to 1973 and was the Best Services Sportsman in 1971. His international debut came in 1969 against Kenya.
An ankle injury during the 1975 World Cup kept him from starting in the final, and he missed the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He soon retired from international play and joined SAIL hockey at Rourkela, representing Odisha in national competitions from 1978 to 1980. After retirement, he coached at the SAIL Hockey Academy, helped install artificial turf there, and served as a selector for Odisha in 1993. He also organized youth tournaments in Jharkhand.
Kindo passed away on 31 December 2020 in Rourkela. He had been bedridden for some time and suffered from depression. His funeral featured a guard of honor at the Rourkela stadium and he was laid to rest in Hamirpur church. He is remembered as a tribal icon who inspired many in the Gumla-Sundargarh belt. Former India captain Dilip Tirkey credited him with helping make the 2023 World Cup in Rourkela possible. A hockey tournament in his name, the Michael Tournament, continues in Simdega.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:35 (CET).