Baljit Singh lives in hope

Baljit Singh’s accident was one of the most unfortunate ones to have ever happened on a hockey field.

The India goalie, whose career is on line after suffering a blow to his right eye, has been left recuperating at home in Chandigarh. He is unsure whether he will ever be able to gain full vision, much less play hockey again.

The tragic incident seems to have spurred the officials into action. Hockey India (HI) has since applied to the government for insurance during camps. Previously, players got insurance cover only during foreign tours.

HI secretary general Md Aslam Khan said: “We are in touch with Baljit and have got him a doctor. We will try and help him out.

“Insurance for players during camps is a proposal we have made to the government. If it does not work out, we will try to do something from the Federation.”
The player in question is still traumatised.

The 24-year-old was on his way to becoming the top custodian in the country. He is well known for the ‘slide and block’ technique of stopping the ball and also running on his toes, both traits of a mature goalkeeper. He is also known to be gutsy, flexible and one with a never-say-die attitude.

He got hit accidentally by a golf ball on his right eye during a drill at the national camp in Pune. Baljit is now wondering what he is ever going to do if his vision is not fully restored.

“Mujhe dukh hota hain,” Baljit, who got the meritorious sportsperson of the year award from Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, told DNA. “I was doing well and the injury came along. It is very difficult to accept but what can I do now.

“My sight is improving but it will be another four or five months before I actually know the position. Right now, I have only about 30 per cent of my full vision. It is an agonising wait,” he said.

Baljit was sent to the US for multiple surgeries.

“The sports ministry has borne the expenses and MS Gill sir (Union sports minister) has been good to me. I may have to undergo more surgeries,” he said. “I have been talking to the HI officials. Let us see.”

Baljit is employed with the Indian Oil. But he is concerned that he would be fired if he cannot play any more.

“If any soldier is killed in action, the government gives his widow a gas agency or something like that. There should be some insurance for sportspersons too. After all, we sweat it out for our country. My career may very well be over,” he said.

However, ever positive, Baljit is not wasting time at home. “I do my fitness drills every day and train with light weights. Slowly, I will increase the weights. I will not give up,” he said in a firm voice.