Amid mounting criticism for continuing to play in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League in India while the country is grappling with a massive health crisis, the Rajasthan Royals have extended monetary support of Rs 7.5 crore to help in the fight against the raging Covid-19 pandemic.
All the players along and the team management including the owners have come up with a fundraising plan in association with the Rajasthan Royals Foundation and British Asian Trust, which was founded by Prince Charles.
The move has been made to aid the Indian government in tackling the dire need for oxygen and the acquisition and distribution of oxygen concentrators across the country.
"BAT works closely with the Indian Government on many initiatives – especially in the area of skills and education. The Trust’s founder, Prince Charles, launched an emergency "Oxygen for India" appeal, which is currently focused on the acquisition and distribution of oxygen concentrators, devices that can provide the enriched gas straight from the air, to treat patients when hospital supplies are under strain," the franchise said in a statement.
Although it’s a contribution with a pan-India objection, the Royals have said that the initial focus will be given to the state of Rajasthan—the home state of the franchise.
"The funds raised by Rajasthan Royals will help pan India, with an initial focus on the state of Rajasthan, where the RRF, Chaired by Ranjit Barthakur, has numerous initiatives it continues to support. Having the team owners and its players come together has enabled this initiative to reach the scale it has, providing aid to tackle the current crisis and help people get the single most pressing necessity at this time - Oxygen,” Royals said in a statement.
India has been reporting more than 3 lakh cases every day for the last week and the death toll from the novel Coronavirus has surged past the worrying 2 lakh mark.