The Hindu : Sport : Karel Klaver fighting for a cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005

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Karel Klaver fighting for a cause

K. Keerthivasan

Karel Klaver. — Photo: Vino John

CHENNAI: As stories go Karel Klaver's case is a study of fierce determination. Playing for his club Bloemendaal in the Netherlands in April 2002, he was hit by a shot that emanated from his teammate Remco Van Wijk stick. The ball travelling at high speed hit Klaver's left temple rendering him unconscious. Recollecting the incident, Klaver, now playing as a right-forward for the Netherlands in the Champions Trophy, says: "As I took my eyes away from the ball to focus on the defender, the ball hit me and bounced in to the goal. The crowd started to clap thinking it was a goal."

Klaver lay unconscious for three days in the intensive care unit. The injury was grave as he had incurred a split in his skull, heavy concussion and a scar on his spinal cord. Klaver was discharged from the hospital after 10 days, and he missed almost half a year of competitive hockey.

With the injury having healed, Klaver geared up for his international return — the 2003 Champions Trophy in Amstelveen. Seizing the moment, Klaver played his heart out, and his team went on to win the gold. "My whole family was there when I scored the winning goal against Australia. It was an emotional moment for me," says the 27-year-old.

Highlights

A silver at the Athens Olympics, a silver in the 2004 Champions Trophy at Lahore (he was the highest goal-scorer with seven goals) and a silver at the European Cup this year are some of the highlights of Klaver's career.

Having put the injury well behind him, Klaver is on another mission. He has already enlisted support from Germany, Australia and his own country, The Netherlands, for a change in the rules that allow players to use the edge of their sticks while going for forehand shots.

The letter, a copy of which is available with The Hindu, reads, "Nowadays, with the arrival of plastic sticks everyone can hit the ball really hard. When it is hit with the edge of the stick the estimated speed can be up to 100 km/hr. It is common knowledge that everybody who hits the ball with the backhand uses the edge of the stick, but nowadays this technique is being used more and more to hit with the forehand as well. Sooner or later, this low-forehand technique will cause some serious damage to somebody. With the low-forehand, you can hit the ball even harder than with the backhand. Players use the low-forehand even during the penalty corners. I would really appreciate if you discuss this matter and take the responsibility. Please change the rules before it is too late."

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