Dixit is frustrated at the lack of sponsors.
By Sreekanth A Nair
Ravi Dixit, India’s gold medalist in squash in the 2010 Asian Junior Championship, is auctioning his kidney on Facebook for Rs. 8 lakhs (around $12,000), to finance his practice preparation for the South Asian games, to be held next month.
“I have been playing squash for the last 10 years. Even after winning so many medals and representing India so many times, I do not get any support to take my squash to the national and international levels. Dhampur Sugar Mill has supported me but how long will they continue to support me? Next month, the games are starting in Guwahati and I am representing India,†Dixit wrote in his Facebook post.
“To prepare for the tournament, I am training in Chennai but I have not been able to arrange enough money to fund my campaign for the games. I have lost my determination. I am ready to sell my kidney. If anyone needs a kidney, they can contact me. The price of my kidney is Rs 8 lakh,” he continued.
However, Dixit’s attempt is considered illegal.
His parents are worried too. Dixit belongs to a middle-class family from Bijnor in the state of Uttar Pradesh. His father is working with Dhampur Sugar Mill, which supports his campaigns.
“I have spoken to Ravi. He is in Chennai right now but I spoke to him on the phone. His mother and I are imploring him not to take the step. Together, we will figure out a way to deal with this crisis. This way, he will ruin both his life and career. I am saddened to hear that my son is taking such a drastic measure. I funded my daughter’s wedding with Ravi’s winnings. Since he has to support the family as well, he cannot use much of what he gets for himself,” his father Ramkailash Dixit was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
His mother Sarvesh said that it was very difficult to support him with the limited income of his father. Dhampur Sugar Mill had been very generous in supporting Ravi’s career. But the family is too embarrassed to seek the help of the mill anymore.
“The mill has always supported Ravi in his endeavor. We wish he had come to us before doing such a thing. We will speak to him and do whatever we can to help him.” Vijay Gupta, an official at the mill, told The Times of India.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh state minister Moolchand Chauhan said that Dixit was a talented player and he will meet the player’s family, take the matter to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, and will help him financially.
BJP leader and former Dhampur MLA Ashok Kumar Rana criticized the state government and said, “The state government in UP is not paying any attention to sporting talents. Ravi Dixit’s situation is a result of the state’s attitude of neglect. It is our duty to help such sporting talents.”