Baljit Singh: The case of Life being Cruel!

LIFE CAN be cruel. Just when you start feeling that everything has fallen in place, the next moment something unexpected happens. The hard work you have put in becomes zilch in a moment. This is what has happened to star Indian hockey goalkeeper, Baljit Singh. Baljit sustained a career-threatening eye injury while he was practicing at a camp at Pune. Baljit’s right eye’s retina, cornea and lens were damaged. Baljit underwent an eye surgery at New Delhi’s AIIMS hospital on July 18, but doctors have not promised too much.

It has been ten days since he was operated, but it appears that vision has not yet returned to the injured eye. In an interview to the IBN, Baljit said, “I feel scared that if I don’t recover in time, it may be difficult for me to come back to the game and be fit for the game again.

And if this doesn’t get better – the visibility, then the future seems very dark for me, as far as the game is concerned. I am very worried about this.” The young player was seen as the pillar in the Indian hockey team. His absence would have an impact on the team’s overall performance as well. He was awarded India’s Best Player at Punjab’s Gold Tournament last year. And since then he has never looked back. He was in prime form with high fitness levels and was raring to make a big name for himself. The stage was set but this injury has taken away his chances. A promising career and a great talent is in danger of being finished before it really took off.

All I can do is hope and pray and hope for his recovery. I hope that Baljit will get the full support of the Indian Hockey Federation and the sports ministry. He must be provided with the best treatment available so that his dream does not die young.