Archit Watts

Ace Indian hockey goalkeeper, Baljit Singh is a dejected man. After the fourth operation of his right eye at Birmingham (USA) today the doctors have given him ample indications that his playing career might be over.

Talking to this correspondent over phone from the Eye Foundation, Birmingham, Baljit said, “Though not clearly, but the doctors have started telling me that I would not be able to pursue the game due to the severity of my eye injury,” said, Baljit, with his voice choking in emotion.

The reportedly reckless attitude of Sports Authority of India (SAI), as well as Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) further adds insult to Baljit’s injury.

“In my crisis, no one is here with me. What to talk of a visit by any officials or authorities concerned , I haven’t even received a single phone call from them,” lamented Baljit.

“In such a scenario, how they (Sports Authorities) still talk about the welfare of the game and players, is hard to understand. Is this the way we wish to treat our national game? When a cricketer gets injured, everyone makes such hue and cry over it and the player can rest assured that his future will be well taken care off. I have also represented India, but can’t understand the strange and indifferent behaviour of the sports department,” said Baljit.

“Even though the Sports Ministry sanctioned the money for my treatment, no one bothered to think about my future, what have they planned for me and my family if things actually go wrong?” asked Baljit, who even delayed his marriage for the sport.

Baljit, the lone Punjabi goalkeeper to have played for India, will come back to his hometown Chandigarh within two weeks. Earlier, he was accompanied by teammate Inderjit Chadha, who has now returned, and only his father is looking after him.