Drag-flicker shot out of WC

NEW DELHI: In a bizarre incident that served as a ghastly reminder of the motor accident that marred the career of rising star Jugraj Singh in September 2003, the Indian team’s current drag-flick expert Sandeep Singh was seriously injured on Tuesday after being hit by an accidental gun shot aboard a train.

Earlier in the afternoon, doctors at the PGI Hospital in Chandigarh carried a successful operation and removed the bullet from the player’s body though, as hockey matters stands, Sandeep’s dream to play the 2006 World Cup is over.

India’s assistant coach, Harender Singh, who was in Chandigarh for Sandeep’s operation, however asserted that the youngster could return to action soon, “within 4-6 months”.

The youngster was extremely lucky to get away without suffering a major complication due to the bullet hit, compared to the multiple fractures suffered by Jugraj.

Ironically, IHF president KPS Gill has asked Jugraj to rush to the India camp in New Delhi and take Sandeep’s position.

Sandeep’s injury has no doubt seriously hurt the preparation of the Indian team just two days before its departure for Germany.

The incident occurred when the pistol of a Railway Protection Force officer accidentally went off inside the Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi Express when the 20-year-old was on his way to New Delhi to join the Indian team. The penalty-corner expert was hit just above his hip bone.

“It is a big blow to the Indian hockey team but we will ensure that the team spirit is high for the World Cup. We are calling Jugraj Singh who has been playing for quite some time after his accident and one more player, Raghunath, who is at the moment in Colombo for the SAF Games,” said Gill.

Raghunath was the highest scorer in the 2006 PHL in Chandigarh but Jugraj’s fitness after injury hasn’t been tested at this level. Gill, however, is confident that he can fulfil the role.

Earlier, the IHF had deputed several officials of the Punjab Hockey Association to rush to the hospital to assist Sandeep.

Initially, the flicker had to be rushed to the government hospital in Kurukshetra, Haryana but after seeking expert opinion he was moved to Chandigarh’s PGI Hospital, where the doctors removed the bullet after an operation in the afternoon.

At the time of the incident, India forward Rajpal Singh was present with Sandeep and though terribly shocked with the happenings, he kept his nerve and accompanied his injured teammate to Chandigarh and will be reporting to the India camp late on Tuesday night.

The India assistant coach arrived in time to be with Sandeep during his operation. Harender said: “Dr Dhillon, who conducted the operation, spoke to me and assured me that Sandeep was stable but is being kept under 24-hour observation which is merely a routine.”

Sandeep Singh’s brother, Bikramjeet Singh, who is a hockey player too and plays for Indian Oil at the domestic level, said his brother “was quite fine and even spoke to us before the operation”.