Injured goalkeeper Baljit wants his India teammates to return victorious

Injured india 'keeper baljit singh wants his teammates to return victorious from the upcoming trip to europe

Injured India keeper Baljit Singh wants his teammates to return victorious from the upcoming trip to Europe

Even as the Indian hockey team trains hard at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune for their tough European tour beginning on July 24 and comprising 12 Test matches across England, Belgium, Spain and Netherlands there's one man a thousand miles away, who is praying for their success day in and day out.

Hurt but hopeful: Baljit Singh. (right) Baljit in action during the four-nation Punjab Gold Cup in Chandigarh in January

"I've got nothing else to do really. I just keep thinking about the boys and how they must be training in Pune. I pray they do well in Europe," injured hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh told MiD DAY from his hospital bed at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi yesterday.

Eye critical
Baljit was rushed here on Friday night with his right eye in critical condition when, during a training session in Pune, a golf ball entered through his helmet visor and smashed his right eye seriously damaging the cornea, retina and lens.

A series of operations have been performed on the 28-year-old since, but the Chandigarh player is still clueless about his progress.

"There is still no improvement in the eye and doctors have said I will have to wait for a few days before they can give me any concrete information on its progress," Baljit said after completing another round of tests at the hospital yesterday.

The hardworking goalkeeper however seems more bothered about his team than himself.u00a0

"A tour to Europe is very crucial from the point of view of gaining experience and most of our boys are young.

"Also, this tour will be vital keeping in mind next year's World Cup and Commonwealth Games to be held in India," added Baljit, who urged his teammates to put his unfortunate incident behind them.

Forget about me
"I want them to try and forget what has happened to me because it is very tough to beat the Europeans in their own backyard. And if we have to win, the guys must solely concentrate on their hockey.

"I'm sure they will come back winners from Europe," he said, eager as he is to meet his mates, scheduled to pay him a visit at the hospital tomorrow as they leave from Delhi for the Euro trip.