| | | | Akshay Kumar and Wasim Akram with the Special Olympics torch at Wagah border | Yesterday was a special day for Akshay Kumar, when Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram handed him the torch (called The Flame of Hope) for the first-ever Special Olympics International Cricket Cup at the Wagah border. Akshay, who is the brand ambassador for the Special Olympics in India, was filled with pride as he brought the torch into the country.
The lighting of the torch took place at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London on October 16, after which it moved to Sydney and then to the Wagah border. It will eventually come down to Mumbai.
Star power
The Special Olympics International Cricket Cup tournament will begin in Mumbai on November 6 with an opening ceremony and an exhibition match between special athletes and celebrities. This will be held at the Police Gymkhana. The matches will commence a few days later at the Cross Maidan.
| | There are so many families in India who don't bring their children out in the open because they're ashamed
of them
— Akshay Kumar | The participating countries are Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Afghanistan and, of course, India.
Akshay will be present at the ground to flag off the event. Other prominent personalities who have pledged their support include Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Irfan Pathan, Mohammed Kaif and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
The series is being looked upon as a Mini World Cup for the physically and mentally challenged. The idea behind the Special Olympics is to impart training in sports to children and adults who suffer from intellectual disabilities. Akshay, through his star status, is ensuring that the mission reaches its desired goal.
Empowerment
Akshay has been actively involved with the cause for a long time, and it looks like his efforts are paying off. When he took over as the ambassador, the number of Indian athletes was around 1,00,000. Today, the figure has risen three folds and the actor expects it to touch a staggering 500,000 by next year.
Akshay is currently shooting for a film in Amritsar, and is brimming with excitement over the developments. "For me, it's all about bringing awareness," he says in all seriousness.
"There are so many families in India who don't bring their children out in the open because they're ashamed of them. I've seen children who had never seen sunlight because they were always kept at home.
This has to be stopped. I've never come across more dedicated athletes than these people. They're the ones who will bring more power to the nation. I can say this with my own experience that being in their midst, I have only learnt from them."
Incidentally, Akshay is also the driving force behind ensuring that the next year's Special Olympics, to be held in China, will include cricket as an official sport. |
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