Chameli brought to Dhaka

Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi: Former all-rounder of Bangladesh National Women Cricket Team Chameli Khatun, who has been suffering from ligament injury and damages of soft discs in between spinal cord vertebrae, has been brought to Dhaka for advance treatment.

She was flown to Dhaka by an aircraft with the supervision of the district administration on Friday morning.

Her sister, brother-in-law (husband of sister, sister-in-law (wife of brother) and a magistrate of the district administration accompanied her.

An Ansar member was with her while she was being taken to Rajshahi airport from her house. Another Ansar member will always remain with her in Dhaka too.

District administrator S M Abdul Quader confirmed the news.

He said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken overall responsibilities of the treatment of Chameli. She was sent to Dhaka following her instructions. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will take her to The National Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics, popularly known as the Pongu Hospital. Her physical conditions will undergo test there.  She will be sent abroad if it is not possible to give her advance treatment in the country.”

Chameli told reporters before she getting on the aircraft that all might have forgotten me. I also could not reveal my conditions. People came to know through media.

She said, “PM took responsibilities of my treatment. Now I feel happy mentally and might overcome physical illness if Allah wishes. I must play for the country if it is possible.”

Chameli who was born in Dargaparha area of the city. She retired from the national women team in 2011 as she suffered from ligament injury. Since, she has been suffering miserable days. Besides ligament injury, she has also been suffering damages of soft discs in between spinal cord vertebrae which is leading the right part of her body paralyzed.

Physicians said it needs at least Tk 10 lakh for her treatment. But her family is not able to bear the expenses.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain declared to stand by Chameli for her treatment after the news went viral social networking sites. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also expressed positive responses for Chameli. Now Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took overall responsibilities of her treatment.

Earlier, Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) mayor Khairuzzaman Liton and officials of the district administration visited Chameli and handved over Tk 2 lakh to her family.

Chameli Khatun, 29, has been suffering from severe illness since last eight years when she tore her ligament while playing.

Chameli Khatun represented Bangladesh not only in cricket but also in football and athletics for twelve long years from 1999 to 2011.
 

risingbd/Dhaka/November 02, 2018/Tanjimul Haque/AKA