The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Hockey given step-motherly treatment’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Hockey given step-motherly treatment’

Sahana Charan

Pakistani hockey player comes to city to treat shoulder injury

Syed Imran Ali Warsi

Bangalore: Syed Imran Ali Warsi is relieved. His dream to represent his country in the next Olympics to be held in Beijing in 2008 may yet come true.

The international hockey player from Pakistan, who participated in the Asia Cup recently, is in the city to undergo surgery for an injury to his right shoulder he suffered while playing. Members of the Indian hockey team referred him to the Hospital of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and Trauma (HOSMAT) in Bangalore where he underwent a minimally invasive microscopic procedure called arthroscopy on September 27.

“I sustained the injury around seven months ago and have been suffering from unbearable pain ever since. It was very difficult for me to play and flick properly. Even though I tried physiotherapy it did not help much. During the Asia Cup, Indian hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh and a few others suggested I come to India and get the surgery done at this hospital; so I came here,” said the ace Pakistani defender.

“If I had continued with this problem, my career in hockey would have been ruined. Moreover, Pakistani orthopaedic surgeons are not very experienced in conducting such a procedure, so having an operation in my country was ruled out,” he said.

According to Thomas Chandy, Director and Chief of Orthopaedics at HOSMAT, who performed the procedure, the player had a condition called impingement of the shoulder, where there is immense pressure built up in muscles and restriction of movement.

“We did a minimally invasive procedure to release the pressure in the tendons and muscles. No incisions were made but only small holes to correct the problem so that he could get back to the game as soon as possible,” Dr. Chandy said.

Mr. Warsi said he should be back on the hockey field in three months time so that he could practise for the Olympics.

“Just like in India, even in Pakistan, hockey is given step-motherly treatment compared with cricket. Players have to really slog to get to the top and even if we do well at the international level, there are hardly any incentives given to players. It is more difficult to sustain in the game as there are no facilities and most players come from humble backgrounds,” Mr. Warsi added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka