Cricket for a Cause: Parliamentarians, Celebrities Join Hands for Unique Charity Cricket Match

New Delhi: Some of India’s most respected politicians today came together with some of Bollywood and TV’s most loved stars in a unique cricket face-off organized by the Union Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs in collaboration with Arise India Ltd. for a charitable cause.

The Arise Challenge Trophy saw celebrities play Parliamentarians at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium for the welfare of Nepal’s earthquake victims as well as victims of the heat wave and drought in India. The proceeds of the match will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

The participants included Hon. Parliamentarians like Sarbananda Sonowal (Captain), Anurag Thakur, ​Kiren Rijiju, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Devender Hooda among others while the celebs team comprised of ​Arman Kohli (Captain), Ashutosh Kaushik, Siddharth Shukla, Gajendra Chauhan to name a few.

The match received an overwhelming response from spectators which included major industry leaders, politicians, cricketers, VIP guests and celebrities.

Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports said, “The earthquake of Nepal affected a large number of people who are still trying to pick up their lives together. While relief and charity flows generously in the immediate aftermath of a calamity, it is important to remember that the affected people still need support to get back on their feet. Similarly, the drought affected farmers of the country are also reeling under tremendous hardships. I am thankful to my colleagues in the parliament as well as friends from Bollywood who took out time for these noble causes”.

Avinash Jain, Managing Director, Arise India Ltd - title sponsor of the match said, “We are very happy to be associated with the Ministry of Sports for this noble endeavour. We all have to play our part in rebuilding lives affected due to the earthquake and the drought. We hope this act will inspire many others to come forward for similar causes”.

Captain of the celebrities team, Arman Kohli said, “The film and TV fraternity has always come forward for such causes and all of us are honored to be a part of this unique effort. Apart from the gratification that came with being part of a noble endeavor, it was an extremely endearing as well as challenging day at the field where all of us – both politicians and actors – were out of our comfort zones”.

After an entertaining match Parliamentarians XI defeated Celebrities XI by 97 runs. Anurag Thakur, BCCI Secretary scored a century and was declared as the Best Player and the Man of the match. Best fielder trophy was given to Sri Kiren Rijiju (Union Minister of State for Home Affairs of India). Parliamentarians XI scored 238 whereas Celebrities XI scored 141.