The Hindu : New Delhi News : Ponting’s bat up for a noble cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
ePaper

New Delhi

New Delhi

Ponting’s bat up for a noble cause

Madhur Tankha

For a fair price: Henry Dubbeld with Ricky Ponting’s bat in New Delhi.

NEW DELHI: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting’s bat will go under the hammer here this February to generate money for poor children in need of education and medical attention.

At an auction titled ‘Compassion and Respect for Children in Need’ at Vasant Vihar here on Friday, two bats duly signed by Ponting himself went under the hammer but as the auctioned amount was only Rs.20,000 per bat, the organisers – a non-government organisation, Sahaj Sankalp -- refused to part with the bats.

Ponting’s former school teacher Henry Dubbeld, who brought the two willows all the way from Australia, said he was on a mission to help needy children around the world and this was his second visit to India for Sahaj Sankalp.

Accompanied by his wife Wilma, Henry said: “Earlier we had helped many children who were in need of education and medical attention. This time we have carried the bats of Australian captain Ricky Ponting signed by him and the entire Aussie team for the auction and we’ll donate the entire money to Sahaj Sankalp.”

Fetch high price

Rajeev Nagpal of Sahaj Sankalp said each bat should have fetched at least Rs.50,000. “I am a medical doctor who was earlier practising in Australia. Henry Dubbeld is my friend and he brought the bats to help the children of our country. I have talked to a corporate house and we will organise another auction so that I can generate a good sum of money.”

Applauding the efforts of Australian guests Henry and Wilma Dubbeld, Rajeev said their gesture was worthy of appreciation as they personally took the initiative to help children in need.

“For the past seven years we have been doing work for poor children who need help for a better and well deserved life,” he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi