CHAMPS Foundation spreads its canvass

Sunil Gavaskar. Pic/AFP

The CHAMPS Foundation, an acronym for Caring, Helping, Assisting, Motivating, Promoting Sportspersons, has spread its canvass.

In the words of Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who started CHAMPS in 1999, "so far, the Foundation could act only if it got to know through the media about a former India sportsperson who was struggling. We didn't have a regularly operated website but now that we have one, hopefully, it can reach out to those who are under the radar and vice-versa. There is a desire to reach out and help ease in a little way the retired lives of our Internationals."

CHAMPS has so far assisted 19 former Indian sportspersons, the latest being a hockey Olympic legend. A press release said: "Former India internationals who have fallen on hard times and are struggling to make ends meet, can now submit an online application for monetary assistance at ChampsIndia.Org/Beneficiaries. All submitted applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and dealt with accordingly.

"Well-wishers of Indian sports who are desirous of erasing the worry lines on the faces of those who brought glory to India in the past, are also welcome to donate online to the foundation at ChampsIndia.Org and avail tax benefits! All donations are exempt under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act of 1961."

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