The sports ministry on Thursday swung into action after hockey Olympian and member of the 1975 World Cup-winning team, Ashok Diwan, desperately sought help to get back to the country from the US, where he is stuck due to travel restrictions.

His deteriorating health adding to the trauma, the 65-year-old Diwan made a distress call to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra, requesting him to take his plea to higher authorities.

Ministry sources confirmed that sports minister Kiren Rijiju has received the letter and has forwarded it to the Ministry for External Affairs. “The sports minister has asked appropriate authorities to evaluate the situation and take a call,” a ministry source said.

Dhyanchand awardee Diwan had first approached Batra. “I need your help as I am stuck in the US and have developed health problems.

“I had to attend hospital last week in California. I am unwell and don’t have insurance. The medical costs are very high,” Diwan wrote to Batra, who also heads International Hockey Federation.