Irish soccer star hits long-distance goal to help Kolkata children

Speaking to The Indian Express from Dublin, GOAL spokeswoman Lisa O’Shea said Quinn — a former World Cupper, once of Arsenal and currently playing for Sunderland in the Premiership — hopes to raise one million pounds (about Rs 7 crore) from the game between his club and his country, the Republic of Ireland, at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on May 14.

However, she added, Quinn hadn’t yet decided about visiting Kolkata.

GOAL’s India office is based in Kolkata, where it was founded in 1977, the same year it was launched in Dublin. ‘‘Since then, it’s been working in Kolkata for the uplift of around 9,000 street children’’, added Oshea. Besides Kolkata, children’s hospitals in Dublin and Sunderland are also to be benefited from Quinn donations, which will be distributed through GOAL.

GOAL, Kolkata and charitable sportsmen go back some way. Former Swedish tennis star Wilander was probably was the first leading sportsman to take up the cause, in 1997; former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash made a similar trip two years ago and has made several TV appearances since, sharing his experiences.

On his website, Quinn said: “I think this is an exceptional programme and I’m delighted that we will be able to lend our support. Supporting this scheme really is in keeping with the spirit of what I’m trying to achieve here as it will benefit the children immensely.’’

Other GOAL celebrities include John McEnroe, Yannick Noah and Bjorn Borg.