'Never intended to sell kidney': Indian squash player retracts threat

Indian squash player Ravi Dixit has backtracked on a threat to sell his kidney to raise funds ahead of next month's South Asian Games, saying it was a "spur of the moment" decision that he now regrets.

The 22-year-old, part of the home squad for the Games, to be staged in Guwahati and Shillong, in northeast India, was reported to be offering the organ for sale on social media for an asking price of Rs 800,000 ($11,952.79) due to a lack of sponsors.

"I need at least Rs 1 lakh to participate in the South Asian Games but have not been able to find any sponsor," Dixit was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times newspaper on Tuesday.

"So, I have decided to sell my kidney for Rs 8 lakh so that I can participate in other tournaments as well for the rest of the year."

Dixit, who turns 23 later this week, apologised for his comments in a letter issued through the Squash Rackets Federation of India, the local governing body, but insisted he still needs sponsorship to continue his playing career.

"I never intended to sell my kidney. This statement was made at the spur of the moment for which I am truly sorry," Dixit wrote.

"I am keen to pursue squash as my career and continuously looking out for additional sponsors to meet my expenses."

Dixit's threat to sell the organ, forbidden by Indian law, was also a cause of concern for his parents.

"I have spoken to Ravi. He is in Chennai right now but I spoke to him on the phone. His mother and I are imploring him not to take the step," Ravi's father, Ramkailash, told the Times of India.

"Together, we will figure out a way to deal with this crisis. This way, he will ruin both his life and career.

"I funded my daughter's wedding with Ravi's winnings. Since he has to support the family as well, he cannot use much of what he gets for himself."

His father's a Class-IV employer, the Dhampur Sugar Mill, had provided financial assistance in the past but according to Dixit, the funds were no longer enough to support him.

Image: Ravi Dixit

Photograph: Facebook