India goalie defiant despite eye injury
Source: Agencies |
July 29, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
INDIA goalkeeper Baljit Singh continues to parry shots as well as retirement talk despite being told he was surplus to requirements after damaging his eye two years ago.
A reflex practise session in 2009 went horribly wrong when a golf ball sneaked through the grill of his helmet and surgeries in Delhi and the US failed to repair the globe rupture and revive full vision in his right eye.
Although fighting his way back into his state team and winning an invitation to national trials in Bangalore last month, the 30-year-old Punjabi was disappointed when overlooked for the Asian Champions Trophy in China, and was furious when coach Michael Nobbs and officials told him to give up international hockey in favor of a coaching role.
"Who wants a coaching job? Not me," an incensed Baljit said.
"I didn't go to the camp to listen to advise. I would continue playing. I didn't ask them when I started playing hockey and won't ask them either when I quit. I'll go on my own."
Baljit, India's top keeper at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, said selectors had cited his incomplete peripheral vision for his omission and not judged him on his performance.
"I would understand if they tell me that my performance was not up to the mark," he added. "There were 12 goalkeepers among the 90 players in the camp and it's natural that if there is a better goalkeeper around, he would replace me. But why make an issue of my vision when you already know everything about it?"
Baljit said he had revelled in ignoring advice from sceptics and well-wishers throughout his career.
"I have been stubborn all my life. I know the virtue of obduracy and my career would have never taken off had I listened to others.
"(Mansur Ali Khan) Pataudi had a damaged eye but nobody stopped him from leading the Indian cricket team. And he led with distinction," said Baljit, referring to the India captain from 1962-1970 and 1974-75.
"I read (former England soccer goalkeeper) Gordon Banks continued playing after losing vision in his right eye. So why can't I?"
A reflex practise session in 2009 went horribly wrong when a golf ball sneaked through the grill of his helmet and surgeries in Delhi and the US failed to repair the globe rupture and revive full vision in his right eye.
Although fighting his way back into his state team and winning an invitation to national trials in Bangalore last month, the 30-year-old Punjabi was disappointed when overlooked for the Asian Champions Trophy in China, and was furious when coach Michael Nobbs and officials told him to give up international hockey in favor of a coaching role.
"Who wants a coaching job? Not me," an incensed Baljit said.
"I didn't go to the camp to listen to advise. I would continue playing. I didn't ask them when I started playing hockey and won't ask them either when I quit. I'll go on my own."
Baljit, India's top keeper at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, said selectors had cited his incomplete peripheral vision for his omission and not judged him on his performance.
"I would understand if they tell me that my performance was not up to the mark," he added. "There were 12 goalkeepers among the 90 players in the camp and it's natural that if there is a better goalkeeper around, he would replace me. But why make an issue of my vision when you already know everything about it?"
Baljit said he had revelled in ignoring advice from sceptics and well-wishers throughout his career.
"I have been stubborn all my life. I know the virtue of obduracy and my career would have never taken off had I listened to others.
"(Mansur Ali Khan) Pataudi had a damaged eye but nobody stopped him from leading the Indian cricket team. And he led with distinction," said Baljit, referring to the India captain from 1962-1970 and 1974-75.
"I read (former England soccer goalkeeper) Gordon Banks continued playing after losing vision in his right eye. So why can't I?"
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