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Time of India
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India dreams live on as ex-goalie finds his goal as coach
Chandigarh: Sixteen years ago, Baljit Singh's dream was shattered by a golf ball. A training accident during a national camp in 2009 left one of India's most promising hockey goalkeepers blind in his right eye. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was a cruel blow to his career, a man once poised to represent India at the 2010 World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, and the 2012 London Olympics was suddenly left staring at a life he hadn't imagined. In a full-circle moment that speaks of resilience and passion, Baljit Singh is back, not on the field, but as the goalkeeping coach for the Indian Women's National Hockey Team. And gradually, a new dream began to take root, not of playing, but of mentoring. "The dream I couldn't live, I will realise through the players I coach," he says. Appointed in July 2025, Baljit has joined the Bangalore camp. This marks a long-overdue recognition for a man who never truly left the game, even when the game seemed to have left him. Born and brought up in Chandigarh, with roots in Hoshiarpur, Baljit's tryst with hockey began in 1995. By the late '90s, he had earned a place in the under-17 and then under-21 Indian teams, showcasing early promise with international exposure in Poland. But just as his career gained momentum, a shoulder injury in 2002 threatened to derail it. Yet, resilience was in his blood. He bounced back, and by 2006 was guarding the goalpost at the Commonwealth Games. In 2007, he played the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, earning the reputation as one of India's best goalkeepers. His game in the Premier Hockey League for the Maratha Warriors had already marked him as one to watch. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Then came that ill-fated day in 2009. Under coach Romeo James, Baljit was undergoing specialized reflex training using a golf ball, a technique meant to sharpen reactions. One shot, and everything changed. The ball struck his right eye with brutal force, blinding him permanently. Even treatment in the USA couldn't restore his vision 100%. With his playing days abruptly cut short, Baljit was left to pick up the pieces. His job with Indian Oil, secured in 2001, became his anchor. Still, the void of being away from the game gnawed at him. "In 2017-18, I stopped playing entirely. It felt like something was weighing down on me," he recalls. The support of his family, close friends, and his coach Jaswinder Singh Bajwa held him through the darkest times. And in a moment of inspiration, cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who himself played with impaired vision in one eye, told him, "If I could do it, so can you." That moment stayed with Baljit. He began practicing again. Playing domestic matches restored his belief. Hockey India, recognising his contribution, instituted the Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year, awarding ₹5,00,000 annually. But more importantly, it was this recent appointment to the Indian Women's National Team that truly honoured his journey. "Staying close to hockey is like breathing for me. It's something I live and feel every single day," he says. As a coach, his mission is clear, to mould the next generation of world-class Indian goalkeepers. "We are preparing Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam as possible replacements for Savita. But we need to build a deeper pool of talent," he says. "Out of 24 girls selected nationally, three are goalkeepers. We must cultivate more." For Baljit, coaching isn't just about skills. It's about building presence of mind, reflexes, and above all, leadership. As the team eyes the Asia Cup in September and the 2025 FIH Women's Junior World Cup, his focus is steady. Compared to his playing days, Baljit says the landscape has changed, improved budgets, foreign coaches, physiotherapists, and world-class infrastructure. But with competition from Asian teams like China and Japan, there's no room for complacency. "The role of a coach is to fix the nittygritties, the gaps a player might not see. As a player, your job ends after the match. But as a coach, the work never stops. You have to lift morale, shape character, and prepare for every eventuality." For Baljit Singh, this appointment isn't a job. It's redemption. It's the universe returning to him what it once took away. Not in the form of personal glory, but in the faces of the young women he now trains. Baljit's story reminds us of something greater, that while fate may alter the course of a dream, it can never kill it. Not when that dream is as vital as breath itself.
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Nations Cup failure a wake-up call for Speedy Tigers', says Olympian
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team once again failed to impress — this time at the Nations Cup — as the Speedy Tigers must now fix glaring flaws ahead of a series of major assignments. The next few months will be crucial for Sarjit Singh 's side, with the Asia Cup in August in India up first. The winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. This will be followed by the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in November, the Sea Games in Thailand in December, and the World Cup Qualifiers in February, which Malaysia are likely to host. Sarjit, a former national captain, has vowed to quit as national coach if his team fail to qualify for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands next year. At the Nations Cup, which ended on Sunday in Bukit Jalil, world No. 12 Malaysia finished a dismal sixth, failing to meet even the semi-final target and losing 2-1 to world No. 16 Wales in the classification match. Across five matches, the Tigers scored 13 goals but conceded 12. They managed just four goals from 15 penalty corners, all netted by Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan. In contrast, they gave away 33 penalty corners, including 11 against Wales. The team's performances were riddled with inconsistency and poor decision-making. In the group stage, they clawed back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with world No. 15 Pakistan, blew a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 defeat to eventual champions New Zealand and beat world No. 18 Japan 2-1. In the classification match, they overcame world No. 14 South Africa 4-2. Former international Maninderjit Singh said the Nations Cup served as a wake-up call. "This is a second-tier tournament. Malaysia should have finished on the podium. The fact that we didn't says everything about where we stand right now," said the Olympian. "It's not about the coaches. It's the players. We keep saying the same things year after year — the players just cannot deliver when it matters. "They've not been able to cross the line since 2015. Coaches have come and gone, but the problems remain the same. There's no game management, and mistakes are repeated." Maninderjit added that the quality gap within the squad is stark. "We only have about six players who can genuinely perform at the international level. The rest are nowhere near. Our Junior World Cup graduates — Fariz Harizan, Mughni Kamal, Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Alfarico Liau and Rafaizul Saini — made no impact at all." He warned that unless Malaysia raise their game dramatically, they stand no chance of winning the Asia Cup in India from Aug 27-Sept 7. In contrast, Nations Cup finalists Pakistan and New Zealand impressed despite limited preparation. Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman revealed his squad didn't have any international matches ahead of the tournament. "We created a development squad and played simulation matches back home," he said. "For me, it's about connection and motivation. The players respect me and listen — that's something I value. Our coaching philosophy is about making players understand the honour of wearing the national jersey and recognising their own potential." New Zealand coach Greg Nicol praised his players' adaptability. "Our boys are quick learners. Even with limited tests under our belt, we come together fast and prepare well." Results Final: New Zealand 6 Pakistan 2 3rd placing: France 3 South Korea 3 (France win 3-2 on shootout) 5th placing: Wales 2 Malaysia 1 7th placing: Japan 2 S. Africa 1
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak hockey in severe crisis yet again
Pakistan hockey has once again plunged into a severe financial crisis. The national hockey team, which participated in the final of the FIH Nations Cup scheduled in Malaysia, has been struggling for daily expenses for several days. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was supposed to pay each player Rs. 30,000 per day for ten days, but so far, no player has received this compensation. Not only the players, but also the coaching staff and officials have been deprived of their daily allowances. This situation impacted the players' morale during the FIH Nations Cup final against New Zealand, where the Green Shirts suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat. According to sources, players have been paying for their food and personal needs out of their own pockets, which has led to considerable frustration. Some players even had to seek financial help from their families to meet basic necessities. Unfortunately, this situation is not new for Pakistan hockey. In recent years, the national team has missed several international events due to financial constraints. Earlier this year, non-participation in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, also held in Malaysia, was largely due to unpaid dues. Likewise, the daily allowance of Rs. 20,000 for the 2024 Asian Hockey Champions Trophy held in China was not paid on time, leading to players expressing strong dissatisfaction. Hockey players have questioned why millions are spent on cricket leagues in the country while their modest compensation is not paid on time. PHF Secretary General Rana Mujahid Ali, commenting on the dire situation, stated that the federation immediately needs Rs. 60-70 million to cover players' dues, daily allowances, and administrative costs. He noted that participation in such an international tournament incurs a minimum expense of Rs. 15 million, yet the required funds are not provided. According to the PHF Secretary, if the Government of Pakistan allocates Rs. 1 billion annually to hockey, the team can regain its lost glory.
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Speedy Tigers going through 'slow motion' again
KUALA LUMPUR: National men's hockey coach Sarjit Singh surely can't expect a "well done" rating in his Key Performance Index (KPI) after Malaysia's dismal show in the ongoing Nations Cup at Bukit Jalil. He has failed to get the Speedy Tigers up to speed since taking over the team in March last year. The former national captain, whose contract with the Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) is until the 2026 Asian Games, has offered many reasons for his underperforming team. Sarjit said that he needs more time to build a team. But it has already been 15 months since he took charge of the Speedy Tigers. And Sarjit himself set the semi-final target for the Nations Cup, one which his men couldn't meet. Yet, after 15 months in charge of the national team, Sarjit said that his team still have a long way to go. "We have to be much better in our fitness. Japan and China are not good teams but their fitness is three times better. So if we improve our fitness three times, I think our team will be in the right direction," he said. Hosts Malaysia, powered by seven players with more than 100 caps, failed to advance to the last four from Group B, and were reduced to playing in the fifth to eighth classification. World No 13 Malaysia drew 3-3 with world No. 15 Pakistan and lost 4-3 to world No. 12 New Zealand before beating world No. 17 Japan in Group B. But this was not enough as Pakistan pipped Malaysia for a place in the semi-finals as Group B runners-up. These are the 18 best players we have in the country and they kept making the same mistakes of conceding goals due to poor focus. The standards and rankings of the eight teams competing in Nations Cup is close to one another, but yet the Speedy Tigers stumbled in their backyard. MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said he had given everything to the national players, and he was hoping they could match the other teams in the Nations Cup. But sadly, it turned out to be another letdown. Sarjit's first national assignment was the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup last May where Malaysia finished fourth out of six teams. He set a semi-final target for the Nations Cup in Poland last June, but Malaysia finished seventh among nine teams. And Malaysia's target for the Asian Champions Trophy in Inner Mongolia, China last September was top four, but the Speedy Tigers finished sixth and last. Sarjit also keeps saying "we are getting better" after failing to achieve the targets set by him. Hopefully, he is right. After missing the semi-finals, Sarjit now said that Malaysia's next target is fifth in the Nations Cup. That's a lower target but it seems tough too.
India.com
27-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
Pakistan not invited for Sultan Azlan Shah hockey cup by Malaysia due to...
Malaysian Hockey Federation has not extended invitation to Pakistan for Azlan Shah Cup. New Delhi: Due to outstanding payments of $10,349 owed by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to the Johar Hockey Association, Malaysia has not invited Pakistan to participate in this year's Azlan Shah Cup. The Johar Association has formally notified the PHF of this debt, which covers expenses incurred during a team visit to Malaysia in October 2023. The Pakistan hockey team, accompanied by PHF officials and their families, traveled to Malaysia to participate in the Johar Hockey Cup. 'While the team's stay and expenses were to be borne by the organisers, the PHF officials which included the former President were told clearly they would have to clear all expenses themselves. These officials also stayed at the same luxury hotel where the teams were staying,' said the source. The Johar association has raised concerns with the Malaysian federation regarding outstanding dues, and has warned of further action with the FIH if the payments remain unsettled. 'The current PHF President and his team are in a fix because the federation is already cash strapped and they were not aware of these expenses by former PHF officials,' the source said. The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament will take place in Ipoh from November 22nd to 29th.
