The Hindu: Coming out strong

By Shreedutta Chidananda

Hockey legend Baljit Singh on handing over the baton to the next generation and how the past doesn’t weigh him down

Baljit Singh is, to many observers of hockey, the finest goalkeeper India has ever produced. His unfortunate injury remains one of Indian hockey’s tragedies – that he was not at the peak of his powers longer; that his talent was lost to him, and us, prematurely. Baljit’s life turned upside down during a training session in Pune in July 2009, when a golf ball – during an exercise used to improve reflexes – struck him in the right eye.

He returned to action after multiple surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation process, when vision was partially restored, but things were never quite the same again. It is poignant then that Hockey India named the award for the Goalkeeper of the Year at its annual awards ceremony after him.

“I feel honoured,” he said here last month, at the second edition of the Hockey India Awards. “It’s great that they recognise the contribution of former players. I see this as a relay where I’m handing over the baton to next generation.”

Baljit did not play for India again after the injury, although he continues to turn out for his employer, Indian Oil, in domestic competition. “I do regret that I couldn’t play for the country after my injury,” he admits. “I had put in a lot of effort and I was performing well on the domestic front too. I wanted to give more for the national team. I wanted to win a medal for the country and I was looking forward to such a moment. But then the injury hit, and it was a bad one. The worst thing about such injuries is that you’re lost overnight. No one knows who you are, or how good you can be.”

During his recovery process, Baljit received encouragement from (the late) Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who lost his right eye in a car accident but continued to play cricket with great distinction.

“As soon as I was injured, I started thinking about getting back. Thankfully I had support from the Nawab of Pataudi, who came forward and not only promised me all help that I needed, but also assured me that I’d be back to my original self soon. Though the Punjab government and Hockey India did a lot for me, it was Tiger Pataudi’s message that kept me going. I thought, ‘If someone like him can recover from his accident and captain India with one eye, I can definitely become a goalkeeper again.’” Baljit felt he was close to a recall in 2011, when after two years out he was called to attend selection trials in Bengaluru. But he was then told that his peripheral vision was not good enough.

Baljit had publicly expressed his anguish then, but he chooses not to be weighed down by the past now. “Such things happen and when you’re at the receiving end of it, it stays with you. But now things have changed. The federation is very careful with its players and that’s a positive change, and I don’t want to bring in any negativity into it,” he says.

Baljit is 34 now and believes he can carry on playing for a few more years. “I still play for Indian Oil, my departmental team. They did a lot to ensure that I played the game again. These people showed faith in me when I needed it the most. Today, if I’m still active seven years after my injury, it has a lot to do with Indian Oil,” he says.

Back home in Chandigarh, Baljit coaches a handful of young goalkeepers whenever he can find the time. “My commitments don’t allow it now, but I definitely have ambitions of becoming a full-time coach,” he says. “I want to share everything that I have learnt over the years.”