Winston Benjamin calls out Sachin Tendulkar for help to improve cricket in the West Indies
Cricket West Indies has been going through a bad financial phase for a long time which has proved to be a big hurdle in their way of managing cricket smoothly. Their financial turmoil has even led to many disagreements between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board. The situation has improved slightly over the years, but it’s far from over as cricket at the lowest level needs a lot of improvement in the Caribbean.
To lend a helping hand to the young cricketers former West Indies pacer Winston Benjamin has reached out to many cricket icons in India, looking for some help. Benjamin isn’t only looking for monetary support but is also content with cricket equipment which he can distribute to aspiring cricketers in the country. The Indian T20 league provides financial support to many cricketers around the world, Benjamin is also hoping to get some help from the nation which has the second most valuable sporting league in the world.
“Previously, we used to have a tournament in Sharjah where it used to be like a benefit game for players from different countries. I don’t want benefit. All I want is for somebody to say ‘here is some equipment’ – 10-15 bats, that is good enough for me. I don’t want 20000 US dollars. I just want some equipment so that I can give back to youngsters. That’s all I am asking,” Benjamin said in a video shared by veteran sports journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel.
Benjamin represented West Indies in 21 Tests and 85 ODIs between 1986 and 1995 picking up 161 wickets. He further requested legendary Sachin Tendulkar for help and even thanked former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin for his aid not too long ago.
“Mr. Tendulkar… if you are in a position, could you assist me? Hit me up,” he said while sharing his phone number,” he said. “I would like to thank my good friend Mohammad Azharuddin. He sent me some equipment over. Azhar, congratulations! And thank you so much for that assistance. Stay in touch. Anyone else who wants to contribute, feel free,” he further added.
