JOIN USHe might be one of the most destructive players in international hockey today, but the aftermath of the deadly attacks on Paris that killed over 120 people has left Belgian striker Tom Boon shaken.
To add to that, the subsequent lockdown in Brussels – his hometown – meant the city which is usually busy with activities round the clock came to a complete standstill.
“It’s so strange. It has impacted life in general. I have great memories from some of the areas that have become (terror) targets now. The city had a good night life. It was vibrant,” he said.
“But now, no one can step out. For the first time, we are not comfortable in Brussels and not feeling safe. Though the lockdown has ended now, the fear still remains,” said Boon, who is in Raipur for the Hockey World League Final.
As a professional athlete, Boon and his team-mates stay away from home for most of the year. But with the events that have unfolded in Belgium, the thought of being home with their loved ones has multiplied manifold.
“Yes, I would love to be with my family now. My family is in Brussels, and I would love to be with them,” stressed the Belgian captain John-John Dohmen.
“Things are really, really different now. It’s a war like situation where every school, metros, most restaurants are closed because of the risk. So you mainly see just the army and police on the streets,” he added describing the scene when the team left home for the season-ending tournament.
The civic unrest has also affected their preparations for the Raipur event, with club matches being cancelled and national camp being cut short. But striker Boon said with Rio Olympics being their ultimate goal, the side would have enough time to get in shape.
“The preparations were not easy because all the big (club) games were cancelled due to the high risk. We played only one game to prepare for this competition. But of course, the main target is the Rio Games. So with that in mind, for us even this is a preparatory tournament,” he pointed out.
Though their skipper Dohmen assured his side is focused on the task at hand, he did not deny the players are shaken and are busy keeping a check on their loved ones back home. “Now that we are away, internet and news channels are things we rely on. My family and girlfriend are there. I am in touch with them. And all I can do is tell them not to do anything stupid and stay indoors,” he said.
“On field, hockey is the only thought in our minds. But off the field, it’s difficult. It’s not easy to travel to another country while your family is going to difficult times,” he added.