Sports minister calls on ailing Mohammad Shahid

Mohammad Shahid was admitted to a Gurgaon hospital

Newly-appointed Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Wednesday visited ailing hockey star Mohammad Shahid, who is undergoing treatment for a liver and kidney ailment at a private hospital in Gurgaon.

"Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports (I/C) Vijay Goel today visited ailing hockey legend Mohammad Shahid," the ministry said in a statement.

The 56-year-old legend was airlifted from Varanasi earlier this month and admitted to the Gurgaon hospital after a bout of jaundice and dengue made his condition worse.

Goel's predecessor Jitendra Singh had announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for Shahid. Besides, the Railways, where Shahid is an employee, has announced that his medical expenses will be taken care of.

Known for his dribbling skills, Shahid was a member of the V. Baskaran-led Indian team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.