However, one good news is that the disease is in preliminary stage and could be cured with a bone marrow transplant. ``Ten days ago, I took oral chemo at Ayush Hospital in Bhubaneswar. According to Dr Rabi Shankar Patnaik, who is treating me, after two more chemos, I have to undergo the transplant operation,`` the former cricketer told this paper over telephone. The operation alone would cost him around Rs 5 lakh. Besides, he has to take costly medicine for the rest of his life. Though Wahid is not in a position to bear the expenses, he is also not willing to ask for help from outside. But considering the contribution of the cricketer and his family for the cause of sports, the sports fraternity is expected to come to his rescue voluntarily. Latif`s father, late M L Bari, was an outstanding footballer, who represented Orissa in Santosh Trophy for 11 years. An efficient goalkeeper, he also played for Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting for several years. Besides, Bari was a life member of Orissa Olympic Association. Latif`s elder brother Zahid too was a good club-level cricketer. Before playing two matches in the C K Nayudu Trophy against Tripura and Bengal, Latif represented Sambalpur University in the inter-university tournament for four years. After leaving competitive cricket in 1984, he spared time to guide young cricketers of leading clubs, Sahid Sporting and Freshers. Orissa Cricket Association and members of the State Ranji Trophy team recently showed a commendable gesture by announcing a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for the treatment of renowned cine artist Hara Patnaik, who is suffering from blood cancer. But the State cricket fraternity would be shocked to know that one of their own members is now fighting a lonely battle against the dreaded disease. It`s an important occasion to observe the reaction of the State sports fraternity on the occasion of the Latif case.