THe Asian Age:
New Delhi: Indian hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh was biding his time at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here when a special visitor on Thursday gave him a fresh ray of hope.

Drag-flicker Jugraj Singh, who went through a near-fatal road accident in 2003, narrated his experiences to Baljit and asked him to keep faith.

The Chandigarh goalie — who underwent emergency surgery here on July 18 after being hit in the right eye by a golf ball during training in Pune — was keen on a second opinion. His prayers were answered on Friday when the sports ministry decided to send him to the US for further treatment.

Baljit, along with his father, will leave for treatment at the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on August 5.

Said Baljit, “I think this is the best decision for me. The doctors here had given us the discharge slip a few days back, but we requested the ministry and Hockey India to look for better options.

“Mr Suresh Kalmadi visited me today, and informed me of the development. I have been assured the best of treatment,” he said.

Jalandhar-based Jugraj, whose return to competitive hockey was no less than a miracle, said a sportperson needed belief and support more than anything else.

“After my accident, the doctors had told me that I wouldn’t even be able to eat food on my own for the rest of my life. Today, I play for my company and also coach kids. How did that happen? It’s will power that carries you through.

“Baljit is young and I was happy to see that he hasn’t lost his spirit one bit. He was so positive despite such a big setback,” said Jugraj.

Jugraj’s world came crashing down when he suffered multiple fractures to his right elbow, right hand and a foot during a road accident, ruling him out of action. The drag-flicker flew to the US for treatment and returned to competitive hockey in an year’s time.

“I was devastated initially. But as I said, will power can do wonders. The authorities have taken the right decision for Baljit. I pray that he recovers soon,” he said.

Meanwhile, the sports ministry has agreed to foot Baljit’s bill for the trip. “The sports ministry has given an open-ended clearance to the director general of Sports Authority of India that the ministry will bear the expense,” a ministry official said.

“After three days of deliberations between the SAI officials and the head of the ophthalmology department at AIIMS, it has been decided to send him to the John Hopkins Institute for further advice and treatment. He will be accompanied by a doctor and a family member,” he added.

Incidentally, US swimming sensation Michael Phelps used to visit the same hospital when he was suffering from the Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in his childhood.