Mumbai: Former Australia captain Steve Waugh's manager Harley Medcalf has raised Rs 1.5 lakh to help India's physically challenged cricketers, who are in financial troubles due to lockdown in wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
"One Australian world champion ex-captain's manager has now come forward to help the physically disabled cricketers of India during the tough period of Covid-19," Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India (PCCAI) secretary Ravi Chauhan said on Wednesday.
"An amount of Rs 5000 have been granted to nearly 30 disabled cricket players. This money has been directly transferred to the accounts of these extremely needy players," he added.
Medcalf took the initiative to help the disabled cricket players under the aegis of PCCAI.
The association and relationship between PCCAI and Steve Waugh’s Manager began when the ex-Australian captain was on a small tour of India where he spent 3-4 hours with disabled cricket players of PCCAI and was impressed with the entire set up for the development of their cricket.
Ravi Chauhan, Secretary of PCCAI, and Harley Medcalf kept in touch with each other even after the brief meeting. When Harley Medcalf came to know about the testing times of some of the disabled players of PCCAI, he decided to raise funds for these players. The efforts bore fruits and a sum of Rs 1,50,000 was collected.
"This just shows that Steve Waugh and his manager care for every disabled player. Every help is God-send for these players and they will always be thankful for this gesture of the Aussies."
"The efforts bore fruits and a sum of Rs 1,50,000 was collected. This money was transferred to 30 most needy players of PCCAI," said Chauhan.
