New Delhi, June 25 (PTI) Former Olympians including Mohd Shahid, Ashok Kumar and Zafar Iqbal would be seen in action in an exhibition hockey match against a women’s team, comprising members of the Indian team, for the benefit of former international Vivek Singh, who is battling against cancer.
The funds collected from the July seven match, being organised by the Hockey Journalists Association, would be given to the ailing hockey star for his treatment.
Several leading stars of yesteryears and many members of the Asia Cup winning women’s team including captain Surajlata Devi, Jyoti Sunita Kullu and Mamta Kharab have already given their consent to take part in the match.
Addressing reporters here today, former captain Shahid, who has been spearheading the cause of collecting funds for Vivek’s treatment, called for more financial assistance for the player who represented the country in close to 200 matches.
“He is a very strong character and has a never-say-die attitude. All should come forward to help Vivek who is fighting a grim battle against cancer,” said Shahid, who would be leading the 22-member Olympians’ team in the match.
Vivek, an office superintendent with the North-Eastern Railways, was first diagnosed and treated for urinary bladder cancer in 2000. But doctors last year detected that the cancer had spread to other parts of his body including the lungs. He is currently undergoing treament in his home-town Varanasi. More PRI
“With the best wishes of the whole nation behind him, Vivek is in high spirit and more than ever determined to fight the dreaded disease,” Varanasi-based Shahid said.
Shahid’s teammate Zafar Iqbal, who was also present at the presss conference, urged the Union government and the Indian Hockey Federation to provide more assistance to the player.
“Central government and IHF have announced Rs two lakh and Rs one lakh for his treatment respectively. But this is not enough. The Uttar Pradesh government should also come forward and help the player.
“The UP government recently announced Rs five lakh and a house for a cricketer. Vivek has played for the country for long. So he deserves a fair deal from the state government at this hour of crisis,” Zafar said.
“Whatever we do for him would definitely give a boost to his confidence as he will feel that people are with him. We will definitely do whatever possible for him,” he said.
Former Olympians including Harbinder Singh and M K Kaushik also pledged their support for Vivek.
The charity match, to be played at the Shivaji Stadium, would also see Merwyn Fernandes, Jagbir Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Pargat Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, M Sommaya, Ramandeep Singh, Aslam Sher Khan and Govinda in action.
The match would be preceded by another game between a team from Bangladesh and Air India, the organisers told reporters.
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