Squash champion offers kidney for sale on social media
Citing the lack of sponsorship, 2010 Asian junior championship Gold medallist Raghu Dixit has offered his kidney for sale on social media to participate in the upcoming South Asian Games in Guwahati and Shillong.
In a post on Facebook, which was later deleted, 23-year Ravi Dixit explained his reasons for offering the kidney for sale.
"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. 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 said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
His post triggered outrage on both Facebook and Twitter, and the 23-year old was in news headlines within hours.
“I need at least Rs 1 lakh to participate in the South Asian Games but have not been able to find any sponsor. So, I have decided to sell by kidney for Rs 8 lakh so that I can participate in other tournaments as well for the rest of the year,” Dixit told Hindustan Times from Chennai, where he is currently preparing for the South Asian Games.
Other than winning the Asian junior championships, Dixit has also won many national and international medals. The 23-year old’s post on social media also invoked responses from politicians in UP, and they have come forward to help the youngster.