NEW DELHI: The sports ministry, two-time Olympic medallist
Sushil Kumar and several individuals have come forward to help boxing legend
Dingko Singh in his fight against liver cancer.
This came after the publication of an article in TOI on February 8, which highlighted the financial woes of the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games gold medallist. Dingko has been struggling to raise funds for treatment of a possible relapse of liver cancer, for which he had first been successfully treated three years ago.
The Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee has been undergoing tests at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) here since January 28. He was admitted with symptoms of jaundice.
Sports minister
Kiren Rijiju has directed the
Sports Authority of India
(SAI) to extend all possible financial help to the celebrated 42-year-old Manipuri pugilist and make arrangement for direct payment of hospital bills. SAI officials have prepared a detailed file of Dingko's treatment and the same has been approved by Rijiju for monetary consideration. Dingko confirmed that he had received calls from SAI.
After the publication of the TOI report, Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Monday that the ministry will be implementing a scheme named 'Pension to Meritorious sportspersons', who are Indian citizens and have won medals at the Olympics/Paralympics, Asian and
Commonwealth Games
and World Cups/World Championships (In Olympics and Asian Games disciplines). "They are eligible for lifelong monthly pension ranging from Rs 12,000 to 20,000 under the scheme," Rijiju told the Upper House.
The minister also stated that the ministry will also be implementing the '
National Welfare Fund
for sportspersons' which "catered to sportspersons of yesteryears now living in indigent conditions and for medical treatment of sportspersons. These schemes are equally applicable to disabled and physically impacted sportspersons."
Sushil, who was moved by Dingko's plight, told TOI that he would personally meet Dingko this week at the hospital and will offer to fund his medical bills. The London Olympic silver medallist added that he will be handing over a cheque to Dingko for his treatment, but didn't disclose the amount.