29 July,2020 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Dinesh Sain
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Starved of a regular income due to a prolonged period of unemployment, Haryana-based Dinesh Sain, who had led an Indian team, picked by the All India Cricket Association for Physically Challenged (AICAPC) in a five-nation series in Bangladesh in 2015, has applied for a peon's job at the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in New Delhi.
Sain's left leg has been affected by polio since birth.
Sain, 35, who was the highest wicket-taker (eight wickets) in the five-nation tournament in Bangladesh, has applied for the contractual job in response to a newspaper advertisement.
"Previously, I have twice applied for the peon's job at the Sonepat District Court [in Haryana] but did not get selected. The same officer interviewed me on both occasions. He asked me why I wanted to do a peon's job and insisted that I should continue to play cricket instead. I told him that I needed the job as I have no other source of income to feed my family. I have a one-year-old son. I need a job desperately," Sain told mid-day from Chandigarh on Tuesday.
ALSO READ
See Wankhede Stadium through the lens of Mumbai's bowling mentor Dhawal Kulkarni
Backed by high-performance training, FRH are all set for ISPL Season 2
"How long will people talk about it?": Ashwin on playing farewell match for IND
"Given the number of matches they play, Ireland have done well against us"
England pacer Saqib Mahmood's India tour preparation hit by visa delay
"In the past, I have also applied for the job of a postman but didn't get that either. I run a small grocery store from my home but the earnings are not enough to support my family," added Sain, who is an ITI [Industrial Training Institute] diploma holder.
Former India pacer and president of the AICAPC, Karsan Ghavri believes corporates must come forward to support India's disabled cricketers.
"Disabled cricketers [who have represented the country] should be given jobs on a priority basis. In our country, there are so many corporate houses who can give jobs to these deserving athletes. We [AICAPC] will continue approach corporate houses but it will be nice if people come forward to help on a humanitarian basis," Ghavri said.
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
