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I wanted this win badly: Jugraj --> [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=206415"]http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll...how?msid=206415[/url]

NEW DELHI: While India were taking on Pakistan in the Asia Cup hockey final in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, one player, who could have held the spotlight, was tethered to a hospital bed in Delhi. Even though his physical presence lay here, his soul was far away -- with his mates in Kuala Lumpur.



Penalty corner specialist Jugraj Singh, who survived a terrible accident early this month, was airlifted to the Capital hospital aboard a helicopter provided by the hockey team sponsors Sahara. He was admitted to Batra hospital for further treatment after 26 days at the Dayanand Hospital in Ludhiana.



"I want to get back to the field at the earliest. I wanted this one (win) very badly. It will certainly do a lot for my speedy recovery," smiled Jugraj, who was mobbed by television channels in room number 534 of Batra hospital. "My colleagues have fulfilled the promise they made to me."



"I spoke to everyone in the team before the match and tried to motivate them," he said. He spoke to skipper Dhanraj Pillay, coach Rajinder Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh and Ignace Tirkey.



Jugraj, who watched the match on TV in his hospital bed, became very emotional after the third goal by Ignace Tirkey. "I had a feeling that India would win. The team always bounced back after a bad match. An this was their day," he said kicking his left han in the air.



Asked to pick up a player who mattered most, Jugraj said "They all played as team and deserve all credit. Tirkey was simply brilliant in defence."



"I wish I was there to celebrate with them," he added.



It may be recalled that skipper Dhanraj Pillay had said that "the team would try his best to win the match for Jugraj."



The members of the Indian team have been in constant touch with the player since his accident.



Regarding the treatment, Jugraj said "it is upto the doctors to decide whether he should go abroad for treatment."



Dr Laljee Kent, who is attending to the Punjab player, said "the general condition is stable." The senior consultant of orthopaedics added that the condition of his fractures will be reassessed with a fresh set of X-rays and a physiotherapy regimen would then be implemented.



According to the Indian hockey Federation officials Narendra Batra and Suresh Sharma, the federation is in touch with United States Olympic Association for inputs on Jugraj's treatment. "The federation is firmly behind him. A final decision will be taken within a couple of days after the arrival of IHF president KPS Gill."



It's rare for people and officials to stand behind a player during times of distress. One can only hope this is not a one-off occurrence.