18,000 underprivileged children to cheer for Mumbai Indians

Mumbai, May 2 (IANS) Mumbai Indians social initiative 'Education For All' Friday gained momentum as a national campaign when over 18,000 underprivileged children in the age group of 7-14 years from various NGOs would flock the historic Wankhede Stadium for their first home match here Saturday.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians had flown nine underprivileged children to Dubai during the IPL's UAE leg, as part of the first step for this season's initiative. The children had the opportunity to meet and interact with their stars in the team and watch them in action at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

An initiative led by Nita Ambani, Mumbai Indians is one of the first team to recognise the potential of using its global fan base to enhance awareness about a compelling social issue and has found support amongst its fans and sponsors for the cause, a statement from the franchise said.

The 'Education for All' initiative has impacted over 50,000 underprivileged children from various NGOs engaged in supporting and imparting life skills to their respective wards.

Mumbai Indians had invited 9,000 such children from the society for one of its home match last year April 13 and had even dedicated its IPL victory to the cause - a record documented in the Limca Book of Records.