Once National-Level Boxer, Ritu Now Sells Parking Tickets In Chandigarh To Make Ends Meet

Chandigarh boxer Ritu sells parking tickets: At a time when the entire nation celebrates sports stars in Tokyo, back home in Chandigarh, a young boxer named Ritu is selling parking tickets due to financial issues.

Ritu has played many matches at the national level and won medals but she lacked support from the government. Her dream to become a professional boxer was shattered when she reportedly got no support or scholarships from institutions. Now, her father is unwell and she has to earn for her family.

Ritu, who belongs to Chandigarh, struggled to make ends meet, just like many athletes in India.

Few people are lucky to have a full-fledged sports career and fewer can afford their sporting gear, essential equipment or have access to proper infrastructure. Many Indian athletes come from obscure little villages of India with simple dreams of easing their families' burden and doing so by pursuing their dreams.

But for the budding boxer, it has been a challenge, especially during the pandemic. While we watch and cheer for the Indian contingent at the Olympics, raining praises on the winners, many athletes in India are forced to leave sports and survive through any kind of jobs that pay them to earn a living.

Boxer Ritu hands out parking slips

Some pictures from Chandigarh were released by news agency

Ritu, a young boxer, sells parking tickets in Chandigarh to run her household



"I've played many matches at national level&won medals. Family supported me but I got no support/scholarships from institutions. My father's unwell, so I had to leave sports. Hope govt helps," she says pic.twitter.com/yn06NoZCPs

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2021 in which Ritu can be seen handing out parking slips to commuters. She revealed to the reporters that she has to do this work to meet the expenses of her household and support her father, who is currently facing health-related issues and is unemployed.

Ritu's story is very similar to many players from the villages who reached the Olympics and are in immediate need of a financial assistant. Read hockey star Vandana Katariya's story here.

Ritu, a young boxer, sells parking tickets in Chandigarh to run her household



"I've played many matches at national level&won medals. Family supported me but I got no support/scholarships from institutions. My father's unwell, so I had to leave sports. Hope govt helps," she says pic.twitter.com/yn06NoZCPs

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2021

Ritu, who won accolades in the sport nationally, is struggling with a huge financial crisis. However, she hopes that the government would help her.

Feature Image Credit: ANI