Tamim Iqbal continued to stretch his helping hand towards the victims of Covid-19 outbreak in the country as the Bangladesh ODI captain decided to sponsor Samiul Islam, the fastest teenage athlete whose family has been struggling to make ends meet.
The regular earnings of Samiul were reduced since he lost his temporary job at Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation at the end of last year.
Some source of income earned from playing football was also cut off when all sports activities were suspended indefinitely last month.
The winner of 100m sprint in the 18-19 age-group of the 35th National Junior Athletics Championship 2019, Samiul’s parents and his three siblings were struggling to manage their daily meals due to the nationwide lockdown situation.
Tamim responded quickly upon coming across this on one of the daily newspapers.
@BCBtigers ODI captain @TamimOfficial28 has joined forces with a charitable organization to raise funds and assist the underprivileged people of Bangladesh.https://t.co/mtH0PUAfcF#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #TAMIMIQBAL #TAMIM #IQBAL #COVID
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 11, 2020
“Tamim bhai called me yesterday [Tuesday]. I didn’t believe at first that it was cricketer Tamim. He knew all about me and wanted to help me out,” said 20-year-old Samiul from Khulna on Wednesday.
“He asked me about the daily costs of my family. I said Tk150 is enough for a day. He then sent me two-three months worth of expenditures. It is undoubtedly very helpful for my family in such a difficult situation. He also asked me to inform him if I face any further problems.”
Samiul earned Tk1,850 a week while he was a temporary employee of Khulna’s Crescent Jute Mills, under BJMC.
He lost his job last December along with hundreds of other athletes of BJMC.
“We are a bit relieved upon receiving the financial supports. I feel really proud that the captain of the Bangladesh cricket team came forward to help another athlete,” said Samiul, who also added that there are many other BJMC athletes who are also facing such tough times financially.
