GB hockey player Ward suffers sight loss in left eye

Great Britain’s Sam Ward has vowed to do everything he can to resume his hockey career despite losing most of the sight in his left eye.

Ward was struck in the face by a ball during an Olympic qualifying match against Malaysia on November 3 and underwent surgery 10 days later to reconstruct his cheek.

“Over the last week I have received advice from three separate eye consultants,” Ward said in a Great Britain Hockey statement.

“They have all told me that I have suffered damage to the retina of my left eye and that this damage is partly irreversible.

“I may get some sight back, but this won’t be a quick process, and whether it will be sufficient for me to get back to playing international hockey only time will tell.

“It is a tough pill to swallow but, as people know, I am not one to give up easily and I will do everything I can to make myself available for selection for Tokyo.”