Dingko Singh, the 1998 Asian Games gold medalist tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. The 41-year old from Manipur is also battling cancer and is the first sports athlete from India to test positive.
In April, Dingko Singh was flown in from Manipur with the assistance of the Boxing Federation of India. He was flown into Delhi in a Spicejet flight and the current president of BFI, Mr. Ajay Singh is also the owner of the Airlines.
Singh was supposed to undergo radiation therapy on March 25, but the current state of lockdown forced the therapy to be delayed. Singh was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1998 after he won a gold medal for India at the Asian Games in the bantamweight division of boxing. In 2013, he was bestowed with India’s fourth-highest civilian honor — the Padma Shri.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has requested the Manipuri government to take care of all the essential medical needs. Singh had to take the long journey back home in an ambulance after being diagnosed with Jaundice.
“He was negative when he left from Delhi but has tested positive on his return to Manipur,” a source told PTI.
“He has been admitted to a hospital there, adds another battle to the ones he is already fighting. While he was in Delhi till last week, his nurse had tested positive but he himself was negative at the time of leaving,” the source added.
“Perhaps he caught the infection in the ambulance. I don’t know, it could be anything. I guess all those who came in contact with him during his stay in Delhi will also have to quarantine and get tested.”
Dingko Singh’s wife Babai Devi also confirmed the story that he was negative when he left Delhi. But after reaching Manipur, he started developing fever and after getting checked in a local hospital he tested positive for COVID-19.
“After reaching Manipur on May 23, Dingko Singh was in quarantine and he had a fever so he was tested yesterday and his report came today. He is now admitted to a government hospital,” Devi told ANI.
Singh was a phenomenal boxer back in the day and even after terrific amateur success, he didn’t turn professional. He was in service with the Indian Navy and worked as a boxing coach for the Navy.
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