Published in The Fiji Times in July 1992.
Twenty Six year old National soccer team squad member Ronald Chaudhary wept openly as medics worked on his leg.
It was his first-aid room last Friday night as his Rewa team continued their nose-dive at the Battle of the Giants.
Chaudhary who had scored through a penalty for his team was to be carried off the field minutes later. The injury was diagnosed then as a dislocated right ankle.
Yesterday in his bed in the new wing of CWM Hospital the Crest Chicken account recalled those dreadful moments.
“I had gone to trap a high ball and at the same time a Lautoka defender came in for the contest, and instead of hitting the ball, he caught my led,” Chaudhary said.
“After the tussle as I lay on the ground, I lifted my leg and was surprised to see that the ankle portion of my foot was crooked.
“This is the first time I’ve suffered an injury this bad. For a moment, I thought it was the end of my career.”
Since he began his soccer career at Youth level for Tavua in 1986, moving onto Nasinu in 1988 till 1992 and then for Rewa in 1993-95, he never encountered serious injury.
The talented footballer is down for the first time being, but he doesn’t think he’s out.
“I’ll probably make a comeback once it has properly healed,” Chaudhary said.
But meantime he has wished the Fiji soccer team all the best in its campaign at the South Pacific Games in Tahiti.
He in the initial national squad selected for the tour of Australia but couldn’t make it because of work pressure.
Chaudhary has called for specialists to be available at major tournaments so they can be the first to attend to such cases.
He said if players had not tampered with his foot, it could have been saved.
Acting medical superintendent Dr Ganesh Rao said doctors had reduced the slight displacement on the ankle. It should heal in three to four months, but Ronald will need further rest.
Chaudhary’s injury will be covered under an FA insurance scheme.
