Financial assistance for 47 cagers: BFI

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

To boost the morale of basketball players, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) has announced a one-time financial package in view of the Covid-19 pandemic for 47 meritorious cagers.

The players who have represented India at the international level will be given Rs 50,000 while those who have attended national camps but couldn’t make it to the Indian team will be given Rs 25,000. The announcement was made by K Govindaraj, BFI president. The financial assistance is being given on the parameters of education (tuition fees, expenses on accommodation, course literature), training (boarding and lodging, food supplements, equipment, coaching fees), sports kit and medical assistance (common injuries, any health issues, medical insurance against injuries, injury rehabilitation).

“The objective is to provide basic financial relief to the players who are not holding employment amidst the pandemic,” said Chander Mukhi Sharma, BFI secretary.

A committee headed by Sharma shortlisted the names of players after recommendations from state associations. Bhupender Shahi, Shakti Sinh Gohil, Dr Suman Sharma, Gautom Ganguly, Ajay Sud, Prasanna Jaishankar, Mohit Bhandari and R Rajan were the other members of the committee. “We have been planning to help players living in distress in various states. Our state associations and volunteers are working on it,” said Sharma.