Bhana out of Olympics

Press, 12 May 1984, Page 72

Bhana out of Olympics

By

KEVIN TUTTY

After a fight against time to regain fitness and win a place in the New Zealand Olympic hockey team, a new injury has thwarted Balvant Bhana’s chances of playing in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old Canterbury and Harewood forward has a stress fracture of the right shin and he was informed by the New Zealand coach Mr Brian Maunsell yesterday that he would be replaced in the team. Bhana last week sent Xrays of the injured leg to Dr Matt Marshall, one of the doctors travelling with the Olympic team, and he advised Mr Maunsell on the seriousness of the injury. It could take up to two months to heal. The decision is a bitter

blow for Bhana who had to withdraw from the New Zealand team to play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan last October because of an injury to his left knee. He played through the national tournament in Palmerston North last September with the damaged knee, and played so well that he was included in the New Zealand team to play against India, in New Zealand, and for the Pakistan tour. But before he had a chance to prove himself in the national team, he had to withdraw. The knee was operated on and he was unable to train for three months until early

this year. Remarkably, he was fit enough at trials in March to win selection in the New Zealand team. He travelled to Melbourne with the New Zealand team at Easter and it wa there that the latest injury manifested itself. Bhana had to leave the field during one game because of the pain. Bhana was extremely disappointed at having to withdraw. “I was prepared to give in last week when I rang Brian (Maunsell). I bad been planning to make this my big year. Having got the knee right I thought I was progressing well just before we went to Melbourne.”