Olympic hockey gold medallist Sylvanus Dung Dung, struggling to supplement his meager pension, expressed a deep sense of gratitude for the financial assistance he has received from unexpected quarters.
"I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Ishwar Murthy and Bharatiyahockey.org for their financial contributions. While Bharatiyahockey has sent US $125 (Rs 6000), Prof Murthy's contributions is HK $1000 (Rs 6000)," Dung Dung, who played as right-back in the V Bhaskaran-led 1980 Moscow Olympics-winning team, informed in Ranchi on Friday.
The contributions followed after the media recently highlighted how the gold medallist, with five dependants, was struggling to make ends meet.
The 56-year-old Adivasi sportsman, who had appealed to the IHF to find him a coaching job in Jharkhand, replied in the negative when asked whether the apex body for sport in the country had sought his services.
"From Jaipal Singh (captain of the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics-winning team), several players from this region have been entertaining hockey enthusiasts both at the national and international level for decades. I, therefore, request the powers-that-be to set up a pool of veteran players from the state to pass on their talents to the current and next generation," Dung Dung said.
Dung Dung, who served the nation with distinction in World Cup, Olympics, Asian Games and other big international tournaments besides playing in 12 Test matches, expressed happiness that India will be playing Pakistan in the ongoing three-nation Hockey Australia Men's Challenge tournaments in Perth and Sydney.
"It is a good thing for hockey as both the countries play traditional hockey. Fans will be treated with excellent hockey," he said.
The former armyman also expressed hope that the India-Pakistan hockey series will be revived after the latest peace initiatives by both neighbours.
Dung Dung had played in the first revival Test series against Pakistan, under the captaincy of V J Philips, in 1978. Sporting ties between the two countries had also broken off then due to political reasons.
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