The Ministry of Sports has authorized a financial aid package of Rs 2 lakh for V Tejaswini Bai, a two-time Asian Games gold medalist in Kabaddi, who recently fought COVID-19 and lost her husband to the disease. The aid was approved as part of a new collaborative program with the Indian Olympic Association to assist retired athletes and coaches affected by the pandemic. 

The assistance was sanctioned from the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund, a fund created for sportspersons to provide help when there is a need. Tejaswini and her husband turned Covid-19 positive on May 1st, 2021, though she is in the path of recovery at home, her husband Naveen died on May 11 as a result of the deadly virus, he is survived by Tajeswini Bai and a 5-month-old baby. 

''He was just 30 but he was panicking a lot after the death of his father. It was the fear and stress that took his life,"- said Tejeswini in a statement issued by the Sports Authority of India.
 

Tejeswini also said that she was not expecting the financial assistance from the Sports Ministery, but they were very prompt and took it into action, and provided us with this support. She also went on to highlight that many people currently are going through tough times and need financial support and it is great that people are getting help from the ministry.

Tajeswini said she found out about the financial assistance from another Arjuna Awardee from the sport- Mr. Honnappa Gowda, Karnataka Sports Committee member and current coach of the Karnataka Men's Kabaddi team. He insisted Tejeswani Bai go ahead and apply for financial aid. Tejeswini further added that she wants to invest this money into her 5-month-old baby and wants to do something for her child's future.

Tejeswini Bai is a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, who won gold for India in the 2011 and 2014 Asian games. She was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2011 for her contributions to Kabaddi. 

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