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Karnataka: Pandemic forces senior athlete to sell masks

Senior athlete Anil Kumar has been forced to become a street vendor and sell masks owing to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Kumar was preparing to participate in National and International Athletics competition but now is facing economic hardships.

Karnataka: Pandemic forces senior athlete to sell masks
Karnataka: Pandemic forces senior athlete to sell masks
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Published : Nov 2, 2020, 5:28 PM IST

Updated : Nov 2, 2020, 6:04 PM IST

Hasan: Dreams of a 57-year-old athlete Anil Kumar, who was gearing up to participate in the International Athletics competition, got shattered when the nationwide lockdown was imposed. Kumar, a resident of Hasan in Karnataka, is now compelled to sell masks to meet his ends meet during the pandemic. Anil Kumar is a photographer by profession but it was his affiliation towards sports which motivated him to go ahead in this field.

Had it been any normal day, Kumar would have been spotted practising running or jogging for the National Masters Athletics event in Gujarat, which was scheduled to take place in February. The athlete was bracing up to participate in International Athletics competition, representing India in Japan. But the government's order on clampdown on the spread of coronavirus changed his life upside down, forcing him to become a street vendor to sustain his livelihood.

Karnataka: Pandemic forces senior athlete to sell masks

"I have a great passion and zeal for sports. I have won many medals at the national, state and district levels. I was preparing myself for Athletic competition at the national and international level but because of the corona, I am left clueless. The pandemic has destroyed everything."

READ: Viral video: Karnataka MLA pays Rs 2000 for cup of tea

Kumar shot to fame after he started participating in various sports activities and he used to save money from his salary to spend it on his sports-related expenses. But with the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for ceremonies and social gatherings declined drastically, severely impacting Anil Kumar's income.

Talking to ETV Bharat, he said, "I did not get much projects and shoots during the lockdown and I was facing a financial crunch. I have not received any financial assistance from the government and now I am selling masks on the street."

READ: With 70 years of Yakshagana experience, this man cannot stop!

Hasan: Dreams of a 57-year-old athlete Anil Kumar, who was gearing up to participate in the International Athletics competition, got shattered when the nationwide lockdown was imposed. Kumar, a resident of Hasan in Karnataka, is now compelled to sell masks to meet his ends meet during the pandemic. Anil Kumar is a photographer by profession but it was his affiliation towards sports which motivated him to go ahead in this field.

Had it been any normal day, Kumar would have been spotted practising running or jogging for the National Masters Athletics event in Gujarat, which was scheduled to take place in February. The athlete was bracing up to participate in International Athletics competition, representing India in Japan. But the government's order on clampdown on the spread of coronavirus changed his life upside down, forcing him to become a street vendor to sustain his livelihood.

Karnataka: Pandemic forces senior athlete to sell masks

"I have a great passion and zeal for sports. I have won many medals at the national, state and district levels. I was preparing myself for Athletic competition at the national and international level but because of the corona, I am left clueless. The pandemic has destroyed everything."

READ: Viral video: Karnataka MLA pays Rs 2000 for cup of tea

Kumar shot to fame after he started participating in various sports activities and he used to save money from his salary to spend it on his sports-related expenses. But with the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for ceremonies and social gatherings declined drastically, severely impacting Anil Kumar's income.

Talking to ETV Bharat, he said, "I did not get much projects and shoots during the lockdown and I was facing a financial crunch. I have not received any financial assistance from the government and now I am selling masks on the street."

READ: With 70 years of Yakshagana experience, this man cannot stop!

Last Updated : Nov 2, 2020, 6:04 PM IST
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