New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS): The Sports Ministry has announced financial support to UP boxer Sunil Chauhan and his brother archer Neeraj Chauhan who were facing a financial crunch after their father -- who is the only earning member of the family -- lost his job due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the family was forced to sell vegetables to make ends meet.

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju sanctioned an ex-gratia financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the athletes under the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons.

"I'm happy to announce that Sports Ministry has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh each for UP archer Neeraj Chauhan and boxer Sunil Chauhan under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Fund. The athletes had an acute financial crisis because their father lost his livelihood during the pandemic," Rijiju tweeted.

"The financial help will go a long way to help me and my family and we are really thankful to the minister for helping us at the time of our need," said Sunil as per a sports ministry release.

While archer Neeraj won a silver medal in 50m in Senior Archery Championship 2018 and also a medal at the 65th National School Games 2020, his boxer brother Sunil won the gold medal at Khelo India University Games, 2020.