CALCUTTA (India): BCCI president Sourav Ganguly will provide free rice to the underprivileged people who are in government schools for safety and security due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Besides, the former Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president has offered Eden Gardens’ indoor facility and the players dormitory to the West Bengal government to create a temporary medical facility to combat the disease.
The BCCI president stated that the Eden Gardens is available if the government needs it to combat the pandemic.
“If government asks us, we will certainly hand over the facility. Anything that is need of the hour, we will do it. There is absolutely no problem,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by agencies.
BCCI yet to pledge for any donations
However, the world’s richest cricket board has not yet pledged any donations or a fund to fight the novel coronavirus.
Ganguly, who became the BCCI president last October, said he will have speak with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah before making a call.
He further welcomed the government’s decision of complete lockdown and hoped that the move will help in flattening the curve of the COVID-19 cases.
“I think this is the best option at the current moment. Certain things are beyond anybody’s control. Whatever directives that the government and ministry of health gives us, we have to follow,” said Ganguly.
CAB donates Rs 25 lac to West Bengal relief fund
Meanwhile, the CAB has come forward and decided to donate a sum of Rs 25 lakh to the state administration.
“We are perhaps going through the darkest phase of human civilization when worldwide lives have been lost to coronavirus,” said CAB President Avishek Dalmiya.
“Cricket stands for Unity. It also stands for humanity. We’ve decided to donate Rs 25 lakhs for now to the Emergency Relief Fund to be used in combating this disease.”
Avishek Dalmiya, CAB President.
India have managed to keep the situation under control with more than 500 positive cases in the country so far.
“We’ve been successful in implementing a countrywide lockdown Thanks to the proactiveness of our government both at the state and centre, but a lot more needs to be done,” said CAB Secretary Snehashis Ganguly.
