Gautam Gambhir helps Indian Ice Hockey Team

Gautam Gambhir helps Indian Ice Hockey Team: Out of favour Indian opener Gautam Gambhir came to the rescue of Indian Ice Hockey Team who were struggling for funds to compete in the IIHF Ice Hockey Challenge Cup of Asia Division I in Kuwait that begins from April 18. He donated 4 Lakhs to the cash stripped Indian Ice Hockey Federation on behalf of his foundation in order to take part in the championships.

The 33-year-old, who scored a match winning knock in the finals of the 2011 World Cup finals and the chief at Gautam Gambhir Foundation, came to know about the ice hockey team’s SOS calls on social networking sites. The members of the foundation contacted the Ice Hockey Federation and assured them full support.

Gambhir, who is currently leading Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, handed the Rs 4 lakh cheque to the ice hockey team captain Tsewang Gyaltson at a city mall in Kolkata. He also said there is nothing worse can happen to a sportsperson who can’t represent his country because of lack of funds.

While handing over the cheque, Gambhir said It’s the last thing to happen for a sportsperson that he cannot represent his country for the lack of funds. It’s the worst thing. After all, they will be called Team India irrespective of the sport they represent. For any sportsman, it’s a great privilege to support any other sport, especially ice hockey which is not really popular in India. Hope they do well with this support and bring laurels to the country.

The 23-year-old Gyaltson, who hails from Ladakh, said It’s a big moment for us. I’ll be captaining the side for the first time but we are confident and hope to do well and make the country proud.