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
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
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2021
"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
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