Injury worries for Indian team
The Bangalore phase of the national hockey preparatory camp for the Olympic Qualifiers came to a conclusion here on Friday with injuries to two key players — Rupinderpal Singh and Yuvraj Walmiki — causing concern ahead of the crucial tournament.
While the strapping defender Rupinder has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture of the right femur bone, wily forward Walmiki is nursing a hip injury.
Both the young players, who have been impressive in the last one year and are vital to India’s chances in the February 18-26 Olympic Qualifiers, were diagnosed with injuries in mid-December and have been under rehabilitation ever since.
“Their injuries are a bit of concern for the Indian team,” said team doctor Lt Col BK Nayak at the SAI campus. “They haven’t practised with the squad and will not be able to do so for another fortnight. Rupinder and Yuvraj were advised six and four weeks rest respectively. However, they have been cleared to play in mid-January and I am confident they should recover in time.
“So far, they have been responding well to the rehabilitation programmes and we are continuously monitoring their progress. India are scheduled to host South Africa in a five-match Test series and they should be able to play the last two.”
Meanwhile, the 40-odd probables were scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Saturday morning with the camp slated to start the next day in the national capital. Seven players from the current camp have been dropped while four have been recalled as preparations hit the final straight. Experienced midfielders VS Vinaya and Vikas Pillay and Kothajit Singh and Pradeep Mor will join camp in the national capital.
Kamaldeep Singh, Harpreet Singh, Gurbagh Singh, Jasjeet Singh, Prabhdeep Singh, Satvir Singh and Gurmail Singh are the players who have been dropped from the camp.
Coach Michael Nobbs and exercise physiologist David John, who flew home to Australia on December 23 for Christmas break, are expected to return on Saturday.
South Africa will arrive in New Delhi on January 16 for the five-match ‘test’ series which will serve as selection trials to finalise the squad for the Olympic Qualifiers.