Squash player apologises for 'kidney' remark as help pours in from all quarters

New Delhi: A day after Indian squash player Ravi Dixit created a lot of buzz on social-media by expressing his desire to sell his kidkey to meet fund crisis, the 20-year-old apologised for the controversy and said he didn't want to hurt his family and those who have supported him.

According to report in The Times of India, Dixit said, "I did not realize there is so much to be read into this (the kidney issue) until I received a call from a reporter," said Dixit, a former Asian junior champion and part of the Indian team for next month's South Asian Games.

Dixit, in a letter to president of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), said he would continue playing the game.

"Squash is my life and I wish to continue playing it. I am keen to pursue the game as my career and would continuously look for sponsors. I never intended to sell my kidney and it was a spur of the moment statement for which I am sorry. I apologize to my family and the people who have supported me," Dixit added.

Expressing disappointment over Dixit's comments, ace Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal told PTI, "I have interacted with him many times and, to be honest, I never thought the situation was so extreme (that he would think of selling his kidney). I have not spoken to him, I have only read his comments in the media. It is unfortunate if he thought to do something like that. I am sure there are better ways to fund your career."

The sports ministry on Tuesday responded in detail to the story and said it had extended financial assistance to Dixit for training abroad and he had also participated in numerous professional tournaments.