National-level boxer with 17 gold medals now sells ice-cream for a living

Dinesh Kumar has proved his mettle and made India proud at the global platform on multiple occasions.

Image Courtesy: ANI

A national award winner boxer, who has won a total of 17 gold, 1 silver and five bronze medals, is now selling ice-creams for a living. Dinesh Kumar, hailing from Haryana's Bhiwani, has proved his mettle and made India proud at the global platform on multiple occasions. 

However, Kumar is now struggling to make his ends meet. With his financial condition in tatters, he is now seeking help from the government to repay the loan that his father took to sponsor his international tournaments. A dejected Kumar said that he has got no help either from the present or the past governments. 

Amid the already mounting debt due to the loan that his father had taken to send his son to compete at the international level, came another tragedy to worsen their financial condition. Kumar met with a road accident and sustained a severe injury. With a dearth of funds, his father had to borrow more money for his treatment. 

To overcome the plight that the family was facing, Kumar became a kulfi vendor to repay the loan amount. He claimed that he sought assistance from the government but has been left wanting.

Stating his exemplary record in sporting events, he is demanding a stable job from the government. The boxer has also offered to train budding boxers for global events.

"I have played at international and national level. In my boxing career, I have won seventeen gold, one silver, and five bronze medals. I request the government to help me in repaying the loan. I am a good player. I need a stable government job. With the government's help, I can prepare youngsters for the international events," he said.

Kumar's Coach Vishnu Bhagwan also highlighted the abilities of the former boxer and urged the government to pay heed to his demands. "Dinesh was very quick as a boxer. He has won a lot of medals in the junior category but lost due to injury and is now selling kulfi (ice-cream). If Kumar is helped, he will be free from the burden of debt. If the government helps Dinesh, he will survive in future," the coach said.

(With ANI inputs)