New Delhi: Indian Sprinter Dutee Chand is ready to sell her BMW3 series so that she can continue training for the Tokyo Olympics to be held in 2021.
A lot has been said about how Indian sports talents suffer due to cash crunch and lack of training facilities.
Dutee’s move reflects the same.
A successful sprinter, Dutee had bought the car in 2018 from Telangana for Rs 30 lakhs.
Dutee said that she is compelled to sell her car because there are no sponsors and no competitions being held. It may be noted that Dutee has no support from Athletic FEderation of India (AFI) as she does not train as per the AFI’s rules and regulations.
“Due to the ongoing pandemic all completions have been cancelled. Sponsorships for Olympics are also no longer there. I have spent all my money and haven’t earned anything in the last few months. There will be no new sponsors either during this time so selling my car is the only option left,” she said.
The BMW3 series is the first luxury car purchased by her, but she says that even if she sells the car, there are no regrets.
“I was able to purchase the car because of my competitions. I am confident that I will earn money and buy another car for myself. What is important right now is training and preparing myself for the upcoming Olympics,” said Dutee, a silver medalist in Asian Games 2018.
Dutee has only one ongoing sponsorship, Puma, which also expires in December this year.