Indian luger and five-time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan has pulled out of the World Luge Championships scheduled for later this month due to a lack of funds. He has also been forced to let go of his coach Duncan Kennedy, reported Sportstar. The 34-year-old said that the lack of financial support from the government had forced him to make a choice between sustaining his family and participating in the championship.

Keshavan recently won a silver medal in the Asian Luge Championships. He also has two gold medals in the Asia Cup and was the first Indian to qualify for the Winter Olympics. “The training week [for the tournament] has started. The race week starts on Monday. It is too much of an expense,” he said. “After the Asian Championships, I have written to the government. However, there has not been any reply from them,” he added.

The luger said that his coach Kennedy decided to quit as he has not been paid his full salary in 2015. The Sports Ministry had reportedly capped his salary at one-third the agreed amount, following which Keshavan paid the rest out of his own pocket. Keshavan has written to the Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their personal intervention in the matter, said the report.