Ramananda Ningthoujam, a junior footballer hailing from the small town of Moirang in Manipur, who has represented India internationally in the Under-17 level, has received financial aid from the Sports Ministry for the treatment of his kidney problems.
A member of the Indian team which participated in the 2017 U-17 Asian Football Soccer Championships in Guwahati, Ramananda Ningthoujam comes from a poor family in Manipur. His father is a rickshaw puller, who was unable to facilitate his ailing son’s treatment, who is suffering from kidney complications and also blurred vision.
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Sports Ministry aids U17 footballer Ramananda Ningthoujam for treatment
Recognising the young player’s medical conditions, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh from the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons for Ramananda’s medical treatment.
“The welfare of our athletes is of primary concern for the Government. Ramananda has represented the country on various occasions and contributed to Indian sport,” Kiren Rijiju acclaimed the player.
Ramananda is currently admitted at the Shija Hospital in Manipur for his medical care.
“To provide the best facilities, both off and on the field, is important because not only are athletes our national assets, they are also national icons so if we cannot ensure a life of dignity for them, then it would be impossible to motivate sportspersons who give up the best years of their life for sport,” Rijiju added.
Beforehand, the Manipur CM Nongthombam Biren Singh, who is a former footballer himself, came forward to assist Ramananda for his treatment.
The player’s near and dear ones have also set up a Facebook fundraising page on Ramananda’s name, and reportedly have raised around Rs 4 lakhs till date.
In addition to the U-17 Asian Championship, Ramananda has also played in the 2013 U-12/U-13 National Sub-Junior Championships in Kalyani, and in the 2015 U-15 National Championships in Delhi in 2015.
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