E-Paper
Squash player backtracks on kidney sale threat
Ravi Dixit, the Indian squash player who offered one of his kidneys for sale on social media to fund his participation in next month’s South Asian Games, has backtracked, saying it was a “spur of the moment” decision that he was now regretting.
Ravi Dixit, the Indian squash player who offered one of his kidneys for sale on social media to fund his participation in next month’s South Asian Games, has backtracked, saying it was a “spur of the moment” decision that he was now regretting.
Dixit, 22, is part of the home squad for the event in northeast India and was reported to be offering the organ for sale on social media for an asking price of 800,000 rupees due to a lack of sponsors.
READ: Lack of sponsors forces squash gold medallist to offer kidney for sale
“I need at least Rs 1 lakh to participate in the South Asian Games but have not been able to find any sponsor,” Dixit was quoted by Hindustan Times on Tuesday.
“So, I have decided to sell my kidney for Rs 8 lakh so that I can participate in other tournaments as well for the rest of the year.”
Dixit later apologised for his comments in a letter issued through the Squash Rackets Federation of India, the local governing body, but insisted he still needed sponsorship to continue his playing career.
“I never intended to sell my kidney. This statement was made at the spur of the moment for which I am truly sorry,” Dixit wrote.
“I am keen to pursue squash as my career and continuously looking out for additional sponsors to meet my expenses.”
Dixit’s threat to sell the organ, forbidden by Indian law, was also a cause of concern for his parents.
His father’s employer, the Dhampur Sugar Mill, had provided financial assistance in the past but according to Dixit, the funds were no longer enough to support him.
