Lanka Premier League 2023 to support fund raising efforts to build a critical care unit for children

By K.R. Nayar

Cricket is not only about creating excitement through its great contests, but its magnificence is raised when it also strives to serve humanity. The game's popularity today is purely due to the love for the game among the masses. In line with that, the Lanka Premier League's plans to support the masses by raising funds to build a critical care unit for children deserves to be applauded.

 


LPL has launched a campaign titled 'Bat & Bowl for Little Hearts.' This campaign will focus on supporting the 'Little Hearts' project of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Colombo. Sri Lanka Cricket's Executive Committee, headed by President Shammi Silva, announced that they have decided to leverage the upcoming league's international exposure to help the 'Little Hearts' project raise funds for building a 'Cardiac and Critical Care Complex' at the LRH. This complex aims to save thousands of little hearts that are beating weaker and weaker.

 

Shammi Silva - President Sri Lanka Cricket 

The Cardiac and Critical Care Complex will feature cardiac operating theatres and increase the number of cardiac ICU beds from 18 to 40, including over 100 medical and neonatal intensive care beds, as well as areas for advanced cardiac investigations and staff training facilities to provide optimum care for all children.

 

If funds can be raised with the backing of Lanka Premier League 2023, set to be held from July 30 to August 21, for the facility, it will immediately help treat children with congenital heart diseases, which are the main cause of infant deaths in Sri Lanka, according to the LRH.

 

3-D image of the Heart Centre 

"Sri Lanka Cricket has not only focused on cricket in recent years but has also found ways to help our country, and this project is our latest effort towards helping our nation’s future," remarked Shammi Silva, President, Sri Lanka Cricket.


Research has shown that nearly ten out of every 1,000 infants in Sri Lanka die before they reach their first birthday due to congenital heart defects.


 

Samantha Dodanwela - Tournament Director Lanka Premier League 2023

It was Samantha Dodanwela, the Tournament Director of the Lanka Premier League 2023, who mooted the idea of backing the ‘Little Hearts Project,’ along with SLC President Shammi Silva. Talking about the campaign, Dodanwela said: "We will use the upcoming Lanka Premier League to give the ‘Little Hearts’ project a massive boost by conducting a campaign during the tournament titled ''Bat and Bowl for Little Hearts’ to raise funds for this worthy cause.”


Dr. G. Wijesuriya, the Director of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, thanked Sri Lanka Cricket, saying: "LRH wants this facility to come up as soon as possible; it is going to be such an important part of our country’s healthcare, and we thank Sri Lanka Cricket for coming forward to help us in this cause.”

Incidentally, the health authorities have revealed that the construction of the LRH’s Cardiac and Critical Care Complex is highly important in order to get rid of the main cause of infant mortality in the country.

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UAE's veteran cricketer Freddy Sidhwa, at 81, plays at Lord's under Kevin Pietersen's captaincy

Image
By K.R. Nayar UAE's veteran cricketer and octogenarian Freddy Sidhwa is a phenomenon. Writing about this cricketer, who remains young at the age of 81, itself is inspiring. Defying the expectations of age, he continues to amaze me with his exceptional determination to keep playing the game. That makes me wonder whether it is Freddy who has kept cricket young or vice versa. Whatever the case may be, one cannot deny that Freddy has repeatedly proven that age is no barrier to play this game. Freddy Sidhwa with Kevin Pietersen and Dwayne Bravo at Lord's  Recently, Freddy accomplished something that most budding cricketers dream to achieve in their career. Imagine playing under the captaincy of a legendary cricketer, especially at Lord's Cricket Ground. Freddy achieved this at the age of 81! He proved that dreams have no expiry date if one loves the game sincerely. Freddy is also an embodiment of the saying "never let go of your dreams." His philosophy is that drea
Read more

Legendary Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt and UAE-based businessman Sir Sohan Roy acquire Harare Hurricanes team in the Zim Afro T10 set to commence from July 20

Image
By K.R. Nayar Zim Afro T10, following the world’s first professional ten over format league, which was born in the UAE as visualized by Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk in 2017, begins its journey in Harare from July 20. The first edition will conclude with a grand final on July 29. Five teams filled with the cream of limited over cricketers will aim to be the first champions.   Sanjay Dutt  The latest announcement from Zimbabwe Cricket is that Harare Hurricanes, one of the five teams in the contest, has been acquired by the legendary Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt along with UAE based businessman Sir Sohan Roy of Aries group. The other four teams are Durban Qalandars, CapeTown Samp Army, Bulawayo Braves and the Joburg Lions.   Sanjay Dutt, who has dazzled in Bollywood, winning several accolades from his career spanning over four decades, is a keen a keen follower of cricket. He has often been spotted during the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and had once even expressed his support for
Read more

A feast from Lanka Premier League 2023 for cricket fans in the MENA region, India, and subcontinent

Image
By K.R. Nayar From July 30 to August 21, cricket fans in the MENA region, India, and the subcontinent can look forward to a feast of exhilarating cricket. Star Sports, one of the leading sports networks, has acquired the exclusive television media rights for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023. The Lanka Premier League will feature sensational players like Babar Azam, Shakib Al Hasan, David Miller, as well as Sri Lanka's stars including Thisara Parera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, and skipper Dasun Shanaka. Over the past three seasons, it has won the hearts of many, and the fourth season will be held across two venues: R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Mr. Anil Mohan Sankhdhar, Founder and CEO of IPG Group—the official rights holder of LPL—announced the television media rights, stating, "We are delighted to announce Star Sports as the official television broadcaster for the fourth edition of the Lanka Prem
Read more