Michael Kindo

Michael Kindo first played field hockey whilst at school in Kurdeg, Jharkhand. After leaving school Kindo joined the Indian Navy, with him then playing hockey for Services from 1966 until 1973. This was followed by spells with Indian Railways and Orissa during the rest of the decade.

Kindo made his international début for India in 1969 in a series against Kenya but was not selected again until 1971. On his return to the national side he was part of the Indian team that won bronze at the 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona. His performance helped earn him a place on the Olympic team for the München Games, with India winning another bronze. Kindo played in all nine matches at the Olympics and scored three goals.

More success at the Hockey World Cup followed for Kindo with him winning silver in 1973 in Amsterdam, before winning gold in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur. The latter saw India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 2–1 in the tournament’s final to win their first World Cup title. Kindo had plans to compete at the 1976 Montréal Olympics, but an ankle injury forced him to call time on his career shortly after his final World Cup appearance. For recognition of his contributions to the sport he was bestowed with the Arjuna Award in 1972.