Jugraj Singh may rejoin squad for Athens Olympics

In what could be a major boost for the Indian Hockey team, penalty corner specialist Jugraj Singh, who suffered multiple fractures in a road accident in Jalandhar in September 2003, is back on the ground and hopeful of joining the squad for the Athens Olympics in August 2004.

"I have already joined practice on the ground and hope that soon I should be fit enough to rejoin my team well before the Olympics," Jugraj, who was doing physical exercises under the guidance of Olympian Ramandeep Singh, told PTI.

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Jugraj, who surprised many with his fast recovery after the accident thanks mainly to his strong will power and the urge to get back in action, said, "I am able to jog and am feeling much better. I feel no pain while jogging and hope my elbow also gets better.

"Soon I will be going to Batra Hospital in Delhi, where I was operated for the multiple fractures, for a fitness check up before going to America for a final check up," he said.

Jugraj thanked the Indian Hockey Federation and the Union government for the support provided to him after the accident.