28 October 1998
Waugh and Co for Bangladesh flood-hit children
by Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
A large number of sports fans were moving around the Bangabandhu
National Stadium Tuesday as they eagerly waited for a glimpse of the
Australian cricketers, for the first time in Bangladesh.
But most fortunate were the 12 children who not only met with the
Australians, also played a gentleman's game with the star cricketers
on the greens of the big bowl in the capital.
"It's an inexplicable joy. I never imagined I'll see the Australians
in person with my own eyes. And now we also played a game...," an
excited 12- year-old ran off before he could finish the sentence to
get an autograph of Steve Waugh.
Yusuf Khan's expression of joy also echoed those of others who could
not voice their delight of playing with the "world's best" with a
taped tennis ball under the auspices of Save the Children Australia
(SCA).
The boys and girls, in white cricket dresses and in full playing gear,
were all smiling as the star cricketers played the friendly game to
raise funds for the country's flood-hit children.
There was no crowd inside the stadium, but journalists, and movie and
still cameras were there when Aussie skipper Steve Waugh showed the
children how to face spin or pace balls.
The lucky group of boys and girls, coming from remote villages in
central Tangail district, had heard the names of the Aussie cricketers
and only a few of them watched their heroes on television. But they
never thought of watching the stars in action in front of them.
After taking autographs from the Aussies as the "practice match" was
over, an excited Anwara Parvin (12) closed her eyes in ecstasy and
said: I'm so delighted.
"Now I've experienced playing with (Steve) Waugh and also has his
autograph with me," she said showing her newly-bought notebook.
"I feel so fortunate and happy to be here, and meet our elder brothers
from Australia," said seven-year-old Mustafizur Rahman.
He added: "I'll tell my friends and we'll play more cricket... Already
half of the 100 students in my school play bat-ball."
"We play other games, but like the cricket most," said Mustafiz
sporting a cap on his head that was marked with the symbol of
Australian national side, given by Steve Waugh.
The group of boys and girls were more delighted as the Australian
cricketers gave them a bat with autographs of all the Aussie players
to collect money for the poor children like them.
Steve Waugh, however, doesn't think they are doing anything
extraordinary as "children around the world should be helped."
"I like to play with the children and to do something for them,
specially those in need," said Waugh, who worked for the lepers in
Calcutta several months back.
Adam Gilchrist and Brendon Julian also showed the children some
cricketing techniques before they along with skipper Waugh joined the
team's net practice at the floodlit stadium where they will take on
India Wednesday in the third quarter-final of the Wills International
Cup.
Australian team manager Steve Bernard was also delighted with the
practice between his veteran boys and the poor Bangladeshi children.
SCA National Director Wendy Rose said on the great occasion: "The
team's participation shows the same generosity of spirit that makes
such a wonderful contribution to world cricket."
"After the devastation of the flood, the visit by the Australian team
will bring back for these children some of the joy that should be part
of every childhood," she said.
SCA spokesman Golam Mustafa, who had brought the children to
Bangabandhu National Stadium, said they would auction the bat
autographed by the players to raise funds for the flood-hit
Bangladeshi children in their project areas.
"Our sports programme in 50 villages involving 16,000 children is
paying off with the school drop-outs decreasing," he said. "In one
village, only 11 of the 280 drop-outs still remain out of school
because they need to earn for their families."
Mustafa added: "Children have the right to games and education. You'll
be happy to know that cricket is increasingly becoming popular in the
villages."
Source :: CricInfo365