India’s richest sports body BCCI on Saturday pledged a donation of Rs 51 crore to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund in country’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
BCCI’s affiliated units have also contributed in this donation.
“Sourav Ganguly, President, Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary and Office Bearers of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with the affiliated state associations announced to donate Rs 51 crores to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) to contribute towards strengthening the nation’s disaster management capacities and encourage research to combat COVID-19 and protect Indian citizens,” the BCCI release stated.
The BCCI’s biggest flagship tournament Indian Premier League has been postponed till April 15 but in prevailing circumstances, chances are that it may be cancelled.
“The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is first and foremost a public health emergency and the BCCI has a firm resolve that the nation gets all possible help to cope with the testing times,” the release further stated.
With Pondicherry and Hyderabad already offering their stadiums for creating isolation wards, the BCCI has assured its support to the state machinery.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had said that if West Bengal govt wants, they could provide Eden Gardens facility.
“The Board along with its state associations will continue to monitor and work closely with the Government of India, state governments and other state regulatory bodies and are committed to providing support to the state machinery in the face of adversity,” the release stated.
Among cricketers, Suresh Raina’s 52 lakh is the biggest indvidual contribution so far.
Also, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju donated his one month salary over and above Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to all BJP MPs to contribute Rs one crore from MPLAD funds.
“PM Narendra Modi ji announced #PMCares Fund to strengthen disaster management capacities and to encourage research on protecting citizens. It accepts micro-donations too. Let us contribute to make India healthier and more prosperous for our future generations. I’ve donated my one month salary,” Rijiju wrote on his Facebook page.
“Also keeping in touch with District Administration and authorized my nodal DC to use my MPLAD funds to purchase emergency medical kits to fight #COVID-19.”
