Amid the India lockdown, Indian greats namely Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev have extended their massive support to the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA). It is a brilliant initiative that will offer the much-needed financial assistance to around 30 needy players in the ongoing coronavirus crisis, ICA President Ashok Malhotra confirmed in a statement.
The Indian Cricketers Association has by far raised a staggering Rs 39 lakh in an attempt to give a helping hand to former cricketers who are struggling for money in this crisis. In what was an incredible boost in need of the hour, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Gautam Gambhir and Gundappa Viswanath joined the initiative to help the less fortunate ones.
Sunil Gavaskar recently donated INR 5.9 million for Covid-19 fight:
ICA President Ashok Malhotra also added that a corporate from Gujarat also extended their support. It is worth mentioning here that Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Gautam Gambhir have also made financial contributions to the noble cause. Besides, former Indian captain, Mohammad Azharuddin had pledged his financial assistance earlier this week.
“Big names like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Gautam Gambhir and Gundappa Viswanath have joined us and that is a major boost to our initiative. A corporate from Gujarat has also offered its support,” Malhotra told news agency PTI.
Sunil Gavaskar also joined the initiative:
It has been learnt that ICA will continue to accept donations till May 15, after which it will select 5-6 cricketers from each zone (north, east, west, south and central).
“Cricketers who don’t have jobs, who don’t get pension from the BCCI or their respective state associations will be offered help,” Ashok Malhotra said earlier.
It should be noted that ICA has contributed a sum of Rs 10 lakh to the initiative. One thousand seven hundred fifty former cricketers are registered with the ICA, India’s first-ever players’ association which came into existence last year. The ICA received an initial amount of Rs 2 crore from the BCCI in February to begin its operations.