Irish go beyond the boundary

Brien and McEnroe are ambassadors of the GOAL – a sportsman’s charity that tries to make life a little better for the people in Asia and Africa.

“GOAL was started in Kolkata in 1977 and has been active here ever since,” Ireland cricket team’s media manager Brian Chambers said. “This Ireland team is strongly connected to this city,thanks to some charity projects,” he added.

SUAS is an educational charity working in Kolkata,Uganda and Ireland. It helps children and young adults make progress through education. Alex Cusack and Andre Botha visited the city chapter and said that they would savour the experience. The organisation also hosted a St Patrick’s Day partnership event which was supported by the Irish squad. “SUAS gives people that chance to improve their lot by giving them better education opportunities. We are delighted to support them in their effort with the poorest children of this beautiful city of Kolkata,” said Cusack.

The players also pledged their support to the Hope Foundation which was set up in 1999 and works to “help restore basic human rights to the street children of Kolkata”. The organisation has its head office in Ireland and an implementation office in this city. They also attend the Hope ball as VIP guests.

Kolkata has always encouraged overseas sportsmen to explore life beyond the boundary. Steve Waugh is the chief patron of Udayan,a home for leprosy-affected children. Diego Forlan and a few ex-Bayern Munich stars also showed their philanthropic side when they visited here last year. The Ireland team did enough to evoke appreciation and respect.