Tamim comes forward to help 91 athletes

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal extended his help towards families of 91 struggling athletes of the country amid the coronavirus pandemic that has left many people in the country struggling for food and other basic necessities.

Tamim came forward to help all kinds of struggling athletes, ranging from cyclists, swimmers, gymnasts, footballers, cricketers, kabaddi, wushu, and hockey players, as well as different coaches by providing them monetary help, paid through money transferring mobile apps and portals.

Md Humayun Kabir, who is coordinating the entire process, informed that 91 athletes from every discipline of sports section in the country was included in this noble work done by Tamim.

"91 athletes from different disciplines were given financial assistance that includes swimming, hockey, football, athletics, cricket and other games as well.  Minhaz Bhai has some list and I have some, no game has been excluded. Everyone has been supported financially through bKash," said Humayun, who also mentioned how some athletes broke down to tears after receiving the support.

Last week, Tamim contacted several former athletes, cricketers and journalists to track down disadvantaged sportspersons across the country. Tamim had earlier taken the responsibility of providing expenditure to the family members of the fastest teenage sprinter Samiul Islam. The left-hander also helped national teammate Nazmul Islam in his attempt to help the needy ones of his locality in Narayanganj. Last week, the experienced cricketer once again extended his support towards Nafisa Anjum Khan, who delivers daily essentials in a CNG-driven three-wheeler to people in need who contact her on the phone.

However, Tamim thought it was not enough to just be a part in the contribution of others as he prepared to help on his own. The 31-year-old started to look for the ones in the sports arena who needed financial assistance and was able to collect a total of 91 names from across the country. Tamim was helped by the likes of SA Games gold medalist Mahfuza Khatun, National Team striker Tawhidul Alam Shobuj,cricketer Mizanur Rahman, coach Humayen Kabir Shain and many other people to prepare the list.

Though Tamim's contribution came under light, Mahfuza said that Tamim wanted to keep this noble act as a secret.

"Tamim bhai wanted to do it in secret but this sort of work should come forward so that others can get inspired. I didn't talk to Tamim bhai about it but one of my cricketer friend informed me about it," told Mahfuza.

Mahfuza who has been working as a member of Bangladesh Athletics committee for quite some time now, has previously been involved in such activities for a long time as she helped a number of deprived athletes of the country, which also helped her to gather the names.