COVID-19: BCCI donates Rs 51 cr in PM’s relief fund

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced a contribution of Rs 51 crore to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) to help in country’s fight against the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.

“Sourav Ganguly, President, Mr Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary and Office Bearers of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with the affiliated state associations on Saturday announced to donate INR 51 crore 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 said in a statement.

“The outbreak of the 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 BCCI will contribute to the Prime Minister’s initiative, which is a dedicated national fund (PM-CARES Fund), with the primary objective of dealing with emergency or distress situations,” it added.

The Board, along with it’s 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 provide support to the state machinery, in the face of adversity.

The country is under a 21-day lockdown, to contain the spread of the deadly virus that has claimed nearly 25,000 lives globally.

The number of total COVID-19 cases in India surged to 918, including 19 deaths and 79, who have recovered, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday. (UNI)