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What's the story?
Former boxer Kaur Singh has been struggling with heart disease for a while and the government's indifferent attitude is not helping his cause. The 65-year-old had won three gold medals in various heavyweight boxing championships for the country.
Among them was the 1982 Asian Games. Now, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore has been made aware of Kaur Singh's plight. He has approved a sum of Rs 5 lakhs for his immediate use from the National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons.
In case you didn't know
Singh is currently admitted to a private hospital in Mohali for his heart ailments. He has had to run from pillar to post to get the cash award announced by the then Akali Dal government in 1982. The cash will be used to fund his medical treatment.
The heart of the matter
Two years ago, when the doctors advised him to put stents, he was compelled to raise a loan of Rs 2 lakhs from a private money lender as he had no cash reserves. Now, the total outstanding loan including interest which he has to pay is Rs 2.5 lakhs.
He is unable to walk as injuries and his old age has caught up to him. He also had the distinctive honour of being the only Indian boxer to have stepped into the ring against the late boxing legend Muhammad Ali in an exhibition bout in 1980.
He retired from boxing after participating in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Now, he leads a quiet life in his native village Khanal Khurd in Sangrur, tending to his four-acre farm.
Author's take
It is a crying shame that former sportspersons are being treated so shabbily. We can only hope that Rathore fulfills his promise to Kaur Singh and that he receives the required help.
