LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has deposited Rs10,536,500 in Prime Minister’s Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund as part of its contribution in the fight against the disease.

The PCB on March 25 had announced on that the centrally-contracted players would make a collective contribution in the emergency relief fund, while the PCB would separately match the contribution of its staff.

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said: “I want to thank all the centrally-contracted players and the PCB staff for their generous contributions in the Prime Minister’s Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund. Cricket has once again demonstrated that it values, respects and cares for its fans, followers and supporters, and will continue to do so.

“In these difficult times, we pray for the health and safety of our paramedics and other frontline fighters, and hope the government will succeed in its endeavours in overcoming this pandemic.”

On behalf of the government, Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza thanked the PCB for its generous support for the noble cause.

It may be mentioned here that due to the pandemic the sports activities have suffered worldwide as thousands of players , coaches, trainers, groundsmen of 40 disciplines in Pakistan have also been badly hit financially.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2020