Kho-Kho federation responds to captain's distress call

MUMBAI: Covid-19 has left the world united in misery, but it's those with limited means of livelihood that are bearing the full impact of the pandemic.
It was only in December last year that she led the Indian women's kho-kho team to the gold medal at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu, but until Friday evening, Nasreen, the team's star diver, was struggling to get through this difficult phase.
Things had come to such a pass that the 21-year-old had petitioned the chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, without much help, after her 13-member household began running out of ration.
"I have worked really hard to make the country proud in kho-kho. But today, my family is struggling during the lockdown. Things are so bad that we don't have enough food at home," Nasreen had told TOI on Friday, before the Kho-Kho Federation of India (KKFI) came to her rescue late in the evening. They decided to transfer Rs 1 lakh to her bank account to help her deal with the difficulties.
"We are always at the forefront to support sportspersons and deserving talents who face genuine issues. It's unfortunate that a national player had to face a tough time in such an unprecedented situation," MS Tyagi, the KKFI general secretary said.
"I am really happy with the KKFI's decision to support me. It has lifted my morale. This is something that the government should have done," a relieved Nasreen said. "I tried to draw the attention of the chief minister over the past few days, but did not get any response," added the 21-year-old, who resides in West Delhi's Shakurpur.
While Nasreen is contracted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Rs 26,000 she brought in over the past few months has already been used up. "I have a one-year contract with AAI and the extension will depend on my appraisal. I earn a salary of Rs 26,000," said the youngster, whose father Mohammad Gafoor, used to sell steel utensils on the streets prior to the announcement of the national lockdown on March 25.
"My father has been unable to work for over a month now," she added.