Chandigarh: Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shahrukh Khan on Saturday came forward to help an ailing boxer Kaur Singh, who had been struggling to pay his medical bills. The 69-year-old boxing legend from Punjab, who suffers from a serious cardiac problem, was finding it hard to pay the Rs. 2 lakh amount that had been incurred to treat his cardiac problem.
The Bollywood star on finding out the dire condition of the 1982 Asian Games gold medalist handed over Rs. 5 lakh to the boxer, helping him clear most of his medical bills. The money was given through the Knight Riders’ (KKR) team.
“Sportspersons bring pride to a country and it is our duty to look after them as a society. After reading about Kaur Singh, we as a sporting unit, felt the need to stand by our fellow sportsman and urge everyone else to do the same in their own way. We wish Kaur Singh a speedy recovery and a healthy life,” said Shahrukh as quoted by the Times of India.
“We, at Knight Riders, are extremely passionate about sports, which is not necessarily limited to cricket,” added the Badshah, who apart from owning three cricket franchise teams also takes interest in other sports such as Hockey and boxing.
The actor’s interference in helping the boxer also paved the way for the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) to come forward for the boxer’s cause. The Federation handed over Rs. 1 lakh to the boxer’s family.
Former national champion Kaur who is the only Indian to be in the same ring against Boxing legend Muhammad Ali fighting in an exhibition match, was overwhelmed with the support and thanked everyone for coming forward to help him in times of need.
“After receiving such huge support from all over the country, I feel as if I am reliving the glory of the past. I thank everyone who came out and extended help,” said Kaur as quoted by The Times of India.
The boxer who lives in small village of Khanal Khurd, was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday. Chief Minister of Punjab captain Amarinder Singh, handed over an amount of Rs 2 lakh to Kaur, who every month has to spend Rs 8000 on his medicines, for the Cardiac problem.