Common people create funds for ailing Bengal Paralympians

Kolkata, March 18: In an unprecedented incident in Bengal, two Paralympians are being financially assisted by a section of people for their participation in the forthcoming national Paralympics championship in Jaipur.

Saheb Hussain is one of the participants. He is almost blind in both oh his eyes since his birth. Still, the athlete who runs in the 100 meters and 200 meters events has some attractive performances in the national level championships in recent times.

He has clinched gold medals in consecutively in last four national championships. Even Saheb holds such a timing in 200 meters that does not have much difference with the timing in para-Olympics, held in Rio in 2016.

Saheb's father is a worker of a jute mill and the athlete, in spite of receiving invitations from different tournament organizers cannot take part as he is not able to manage the passage money.

Recently, he said: “Even I have received invitations from a few foreign countries to participate in the sprint events. Still I had to refuse them."

The similar situation arose this time as Saheb has been struggling to manage the least amount of required money for the national championship, scheduled to be held in Jaipur at the end of this month.

The representative of National para-Olympics Federation from West Bengal Bhaskar Mukherjee said on the occasion: “We are trying to organize free passage for Saheb and other participating athletes in the national championships.“

However, Saheb is going to take part in the national championships without having money. In a rare move, one of his friends took the initiative to connect with a section of people who works with different employers.

They have come forward with financial assistance and trying to accumulate such an amount so that Saheb can take part in the championship outside the country too.

The similar situation is with another female athlete Rubia Chatterjee whose right leg has been totally paralysed.

She has good performances in the discus and shot put events at the national championships.

She is also languishing with a financial crisis. But now, following the financial help initiative, Rubia will also be able to take part in the national championship.

OneIndia News