The 37-year Olympian, an office superintendent with North Eastern Railway, was first diagnosed and treated for urinary bladder cancer in 2000. But doctors last year detected that the cancer had spread to other parts of his body including the lungs.

However, the fighter in the former player is not ready to give up hope.

"Death comes to everyone. In my case it's different since I know that how it is coming. But I don't fear since I have not lost hope. I will fight against it," the Varanasi-based Vivek said at the Palam Airport here enroute to Mumbai, where he would be getting treatment at the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital.

"I can't allow the fear to dominate me as I have the will power to fight against the odds." The centre half, who represented India in the Seoul Olympics in 1988, Champions Trophy in Germany in 1989, Lahore World Cup and the Beijing Asian Games in 1990, said during his playing days he was regarded as a defensive player, but a twist in fate has made him more aggressive. "I am fighting the disease aggressively, not allowing it to subdue me." Vivek, who played in close to 200 internationals for the country, is yet to receive any help from the Indian Hockey Federation to fight the disease, which needs treatment that is very expensive.

"I think there should be a fund for players who face such a time in their life. Any one can get this disease. So the fund would definitely offer help to the afflicted-players. "I have written a letter to the IHF but I am yet to get a response. But still I hope they will do something." Vivek said he wants his children -- two daughters -- to play for the country in the Olympics. "I want my daughters to be hockey players and play in the Olympics.

"I also want to do something for the country. Having played in the Olympics, I want to pass on my skills to a youngster who can play for India in future." Vivek said he was being look after well by his employers Railways.

The former player was overwhelmed with the gesture of Hockey Journalists Association which handed him contributions collected by well-wishers for his treatment yesterday.

"You all have taken the initiative and have been supporting my cause. I am proud of you all. I am really grateful as you have presented me with a purse in a crucial time of my life. I am honoured by this grand gesture. I hope your well wishes will carry me through this crisis."