Coronavirus Outbreak: Cricket Association of Bengal Donates Rs 25 Lakh, President Avishek Dalmiya Gives Rs 5 Lakh to West Bengal Administration
Dalmiya added that the money donated by the state cricket association will be used to develop the medical facilities in the state and also provide medical support to those affected by the pandemic. “We have initially given 25 Lakhs from CAB and Rs 5 lakh from my side also. This money will be utilised for various developments and providing medical support."
With the country struggling to carry out enough tests to identify and quarantine people diagnosed with coronavirus, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has come forward and joined the country in battling the pandemic. CAB has donated a sum of Rs 25 lakh to the West Bengal state administration to help the state in tackling the spread of the virus, while CAB president Avishek Dalmiya has pledged to individually donate Rs 5 lakh to the Chief Minister’s relief fund. “Cricket stands for humanity and it also stands for unity, said Dalmiya, who took over from Sourav Ganguly as the CBA president after latter became the BCCI chief. Sourav Ganguly to Donate Rice Worth Rs 50 Lakh for Underprivileged Amid COVID-19 Lockdown in India.
“As you are aware that coronavirus is a major issue and as a responsible institution it is our duty to come forward and support the administration in fighting this virus. Cricket stands for humanity and it also stands for unity so it's important for all of us to get together and help the administration by whatever support we can,” Dalmiya was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Sourav Ganguly Ready to Offer Eden Gardens to West Bengal State Government for Temporary Quarantine Facility.
CAB to Donate Rs 25 Lakh
Dalmiya added that the money donated by the state cricket association will be used to develop the medical facilities in the state and also provide medical support to those affected by the pandemic. “We have initially given 25 Lakhs from CAB and Rs 5 lakh from my side also. This money will be utilised for various developments and providing medical support which would be required by the government and we are with the government,” he said.
“We have also made an appeal to those who are connected with us, those who follow Bengal cricket that they can also make their contributions directly. Amounts will be given today and it is already been communicated to the state government,” Dalmiya added.
Meanwhile, CAB treasurer Debasish Ganguly in a short video clip, which was posted in the association’s official twitter account, saluted the doctors and every other medical staffs for their effort in fighting COVID-19. Ganguly also announced the Bengal Cricket Association’s decision to donate Rs 25 lakh to the state administration while also urging other state associations to come forward and support the government.
Earlier, former CAB president and current BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly pledged his decision to provide Rs 50 lakh worth rice, in association with La Baba Rice, to those affected by the 21-day nation-wide lockdown. Former Indian internationals Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan also donated masks and pledged to donate more towards the medical staffs.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2020 12:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).