On Wednesday, India beat Pakistan to win the squash gold at the South Asian Games in Guwahati. Ravi Dixit who was part of the winning squad had a big “thank you“ for benefactor, filmmaker Manish Mundra, whose cheque of Rs 2 lakh which arrived on February 6 will help the player continue with his training for the next four months. On February 3, Ravi had told the producer of Aankhon Dekhi and Masaan about a four-week training trip to Malaysia where the weekly fee is $750. Airfare, accommodation, food and coach expenses would add up to Rs 2 lakh. A subsequent four-week trip to the US would cost him another Rs 2-3 lakh. Manish promised him Rs 2 lakh the next day. On February 5, he transferred the initial funding to his account. The next day, when Ravi thanked Manish he was told to write to the world that he was no longer selling his kidneys, that there's still hope and we should help each other.

The 20 year old who's been playing squash for a decade, winning gold in the 2010 Asian Junior Championships, had in desperation posted on Facebook: “Dhampur Sugar Mill has supported me but how long will they continue to support me? Next month, the Games are starting in Guwahati and I am representing India. To prepare for the tournament I am training in Chennai but I have not been able to arrange enough money to fund my campaign for the Games. I have lost my determination. I am ready to sell my kidney. If anyone needs a kidney, they can contact. The price of my kidney is Rs 8 lakh.“

A crowdfunding initiative, #supportRaviDixit, was started on the social media to help him. But the campaign could only raise Rs 5,500. On January 12, director Suparn Verma reached out to Manish Mundra and Anand Mahindra. Manish who loves playing squash, asked to be connected. After his timely help, Ravi has apologised for his “emotional outburst“ which was “blown out of proportion“. And Manish is happy to have helped a sportsman. “India is a developing country and like we are channelising energies in other areas, we need to identify sport as a vertical that needs organised planning. Kids need to be spotted early and investment on their training made,“ he says.

Adding that private sector partnership can help the government achieve this he points out that this has already happened in cricket, badminton and kabaddi. “Tax breaks and incentives to the private sector can help develop a sport like squash too. I'm willing to fund Ravi for a year so he doesn't lose out on opportunities. By that time I hope he'll be a recognised champion and attract corporate sponsors,“ he informs.

Ravi said emotionally, “I am grateful to Manish sir for helping me. I wish more people come forward and support me. Two days ago, I won a gold medal at the South Asian Games. Squash is my life. I want to play squash and only squash.“