The Sports Ministry provided a grant of Rs 2.5 lakh to deaf tennis player Zafreen Sheikh

Financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh to deaf tennis player Jafreen Sheikh from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS) to continue their training despite hurdles in the quest of winning the gold in the Summer Defimps to be held in Brazil by the Sports Ministry has provided. Later this year or next year. 23-year-old Jaffreen was to win a bronze medal in the 2017 Summer Defimics in the mixed doubles event where she played Prithvi Shekhar. He was India’s first medal in deflampics in tennis. He also represented India at the 2013 Deflampics.

Currently, Jafreen is living in her maternal uncle’s house on payment of nominal rent and is unable to complete the ends to continue her training. Her father, Zaker Ahmed, had to sell his only residential house and jewelry in Bangalore to bear his training expenses.

Jafarin was training in China to participate in the Summer DeFlympics 2017. Prior to this, he underwent free training at Sania Mirza Tennis Academy in Hyderabad from 2013 to 2017.

She now intends to receive a sponsorship to receive training at the PBI Academy in Bangalore with a year’s preparation for the upcoming Deaflyics.

Promoted

According to Deendayal Upadhyaya Kosh, financial assistance up to Rs 2.5 lakh is given to the players for training, purchase of equipment and participation in national and international sports events.

Financial assistance is also given to parents of players who are living in dire conditions. Players belonging to sports disciplines whose associations are either recognized or whose recognition has been suspended by the government are also eligible for financial assistance under the fund.