Real world can often be a cruel place but then there are certain acts of kindness and empathy that make us believe in humanity all over again. This time it’s the multi-talented Farhan Akhtar who has come out to help a man named Abid Khan.
Abid Khan is a national level boxer and a NIS qualified coach whose current conditions are such that he is forced to drive an auto and unload sacks at grain market to make his ends meet. His heart-warming story was shared by a YouTube channel Sports Gaon run by Saurabh Duggal, a sports journalist and author of ‘Akhada’ (authorized biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat).
As per the channel, Khan is a former North India boxing champion from Chandigarh who got his coaching diploma in boxing from National Institute of Sports, Patiala in 1988-89. After that he coached and trained army teams for five years. Earlier, he had also represented Punjab University and studied at SD College, Chandigarh.
After watching his story, many people showed sympathy and respect and also offered help to the veteran sportsperson who has been though a lot in his life. But being a man of dignity Khan does not want charity, instead he is looking to earn respect as a coach as he had always imagined.
Amongst all this it was Farhan Akhtar’s tweet that made Khan’s story reach more and more people. Akhtar felt both heartbroken and inspired by him and posted the same on twitter alongside asking for Khan’s contact details.
Farhan himself will be seen in the role of a national level boxer in his upcoming direct-to-digital film ‘Toofan’ directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. The actor-director duo had earlier worked together for sports drama ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ based on the life of former Olympian Milkha Singh. ‘Toofan’ will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 21st May, 2021.
Abid Khan’s life story is one among many where financial conditions prevent one from achieving something big in one’s life or creating a name for oneself. Now that his story is out, thanks to Sports Gaon and Saurabh Duggal, we at Binged hope he gets what he truly deserves.