Sunil likely to miss Hockey World Cup
NEW DELHI: Nursing a knee injury sustained during the national camp in Pune, India forward S V Sunil on Tuesday said he is likely to miss the hockey World Cup scheduled to be held from February 28 to March 13.
Sunil said there was still considerable pain in his injured knee and it might take more than expected time to heal and it would be the most “unfortunate” moment of his career if he actually misses the mega-event.
Sunil, a regular member of the Indian squad, had hurt his right knee during the World Cup preparatory camp in Pune recently. He later consulted renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Anant Joshi, who advised him three weeks rest.
“I am in rest right now and my knee is slowly and steadily getting better. The doctor has advised me three weeks rest but I am doubtful to take part in the World Cup,” Sunil said.
“I feel I won’t be able to make it as there is immense pain in my knee. If I miss the World Cup, it will be my misfortune. It will be the most unfortunate moment in my career,” he said.
Sunil said the doctors have advised him against risking his knee in the mega-event as it might aggravate his injury.
“The doctors told me that I will recover before the World Cup but may not be 100 per cent fit to play. They advised me not to play as another injury on the same spot can finish my career,” he said.
However, Sunil, who fought his emotions and stayed back with the team despite getting the news of his father’s death hours before the start of Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia last year, said he is coming to the Capital for the team’s practice sessions in the National Stadium starting tomorrow.
“I am coming to Delhi for the camp. I am coming a day later for some personal work and will be joining the camp on Thursday,” he said.