Baljit eyeing comeback in Commonwealth Games

A freak eye injury might have cast a shadow over his career but a determined Indian Hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh is eyeing a comeback in the national side to play in the Commonwealth Games in October, 2010.

Baljit said his vision has recovered 55 per cent following treatment in United States and after another surgery he is hoping to be fit to play again by March end next year.

“My eye is better than before and I now have 55 per cent vision. I am using contact lens which was fitted in Alabama. Presently, my progress is being monitored by a local doctor in Chandigarh. I go to him for routine check up to ensure there is no infection but further treatment and a surgery is required,” Baljit told PTI.

“I am sure by March end I will make myself fit. I will do everything step by step and I am now trying to regain fitness. My target is the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

Baljit damaged his right eye after a golf ball sneaked through his helmet’s visor while training in the national camp in Pune in July, after which he was sent to Alabama, United States for treatment at the expense of Indian government.

For the further treatment and the surgery, Baljit is hoping that the Indian government will foot the bill again.

“I will have to request the Sports Minister M.S. Gill to extend his helping hand once again. I am trying to meet him and request him to send me back to the United States for further treatment and I am confident that my request will be considered,” he said.

If everything goes well at the treatment front, he is aiming to start playing for domestic tournaments by next month itself.

“I am consistently doing workouts and hope to start playing hockey in about a month with my team Indian Oil Corporation and then only I will talk to A.K. Mattoo (Hockey India President) to enlist me in Indian camp,” Baljit said.

“I am yet to start coordination exercise with a specialist coach as I am still searching for the right person. I will soon start practice with Jasbeer Singh Bajwa, who was my first hockey coach,” he said.