Baljit not in probables for Asian Champions Trophy
Goalkeeper Baljit Singh, who made a comeback to the Indian hockey camp after two years in wilderness, was left out of the 48-strong list of probables for the first Asian Champions Trophy at China in September. The three-day trials to reduce the list of probables for the event concluded at the Sports Authority of India Centre, here Friday evening.
Baljit’s selection for the camp had created quite a buzz about the 29-year-old goalkeeper, who was sidelined after a golf ball hit his right eye during practice in 2009.
There was fear of him losing vision, but corrective surgeries later, he was back on the field even though he admitted that the layoff nearly destroyed his composure.
But he could not make the cut for the probables’ list. The rest of the list had no surprises to offer with familiar faces getting the selectors’ nod.
Hockey India Selectors Col. Balbir Singh, BP Govinda, Thoiba Singh and AB Subbaiah, besides Government Observer Dilip Tirkey witnessed the trials.
The Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played at Ordos, China from September 3 to 12 where the first six of the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad shall participate.
The teams competing for the trophy are Pakistan, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Japan and China.