India’s kho-kho captain nearly ran out of food

New Delhi, April 25

The Indian women’s kho-kho team captain, Nasreen Sheikh, has been struggling to put food on the table in these days of the coronavirus lockdown.

“The financial situation has been bad. It almost came to a point when there was no food at home,” says Nasreen Sheikh, confined to her small room in Shakurpur region of the capital. As the lockdown enters its 32nd day, her family is feeling the strain of loss of income. “My father sells utensils. Now, due to the lockdown, he could not step out or make any money. The financial situation is really strained,” says Nasreen, who has made India proud over and over again.

The 23-year-old was part of the team that finished first in both Asian Championship and South Asian Championship and has won a whopping 40 Indian championship titles. But now, let alone her nutritional supplements, Nasreen has been struggling to make ends meet. “I have appealed to the Delhi government many times. I even applied online. But no help came my way,” says Nasreen.

The only help, she says, came from the Kho Kho Federation of India. “I was nearing a stage when there was no food at home to eat when the federation stepped in with some help. My father sells utensils in the ‘patri bazaar’. The lockdown has kept him off work and earnings,” says Nasreen. She says having a regular and proper diet is key to sporting success, something she can’t afford. “I play for the Airport Authority of India. They give me Rs 26,000 per month as salary. But it comes after three months,” says Nasreen. — IANS