WIPA give $121,721 to United WayFriday, December 16 2011
THE WEST Indies Players Association (WIPA) handed over a $121,721.86 cheque recently to United Way as part of the proceeds raised from WIPA’s Balls of Fire charity event earlier this year.
Conrad Aleong, Chairman of United Way Trinidad and Tobago, praised WIPA for the initiative and assisting them in their cause.
“I am extremely pleased to receive this cheque on behalf of the United Way Trinidad and Tobago. It was an even greater pleasure working with the Executive and Members of WIPA who impressed me with their desire to make a meaningful contribution to the disadvantaged and dispossessed in our country and, in fact the entire Caribbean. The level of professionalism exhibited in undertaking this major event augurs well for sport in the region.”
Meanwhile, WIPA boss, Dinanath Ramnarine, credited the players for making the event successful.
“Balls of Fire II was a tremendous success because there are professional sportsmen who are willing to help the less fortunate by taking part in charity events. What makes this even more important is that there are fans who support these events and turn out, not just for the sports, but for the opportunity to contribute and there are sponsors willing to help. WIPA have been fortunate to have the kind and level of support which guarantees the success of our charitable endeavours,” he said.
Balls of Fire II featured two charity matches at the Queen’s Park Oval with the national cricket team playing a WIPA XI following by a football match between ex-national players and a WIPA team.
Ramnarine noted that WIPA’s aid to United Way was a means of maximising their contribution to the national development of this country. He explained that WIPA have been very active in public service at both the national and regional level.
In 2008, the organisation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Agencies in Trinidad and Tobago to sensitise the public about HIV and AIDS awareness.
Members of the West Indies team at the time joined children from special schools, as well as senior public and private sector officials, in a walkathon around the Queen’s Park Savannah.
The players body also contributed (through members of the West Indies cricket team) more than $120,000 to Jamaica and Grenada after Hurricane Ivan. Additionally, a charity Twenty20 Cricket Match in 2010 raised $500,000 to help earthquake ravaged Haiti.
WIPA also established a benevolent fund from which WIPA members, distressed persons and charities are able to benefit. Other WIPA contributions include medical health and fitness seminars, charity football matches and cricket-related community programmes.
The major sponsors for Balls of Fire II were Atlantic Trinidad, Bmobile, First Citizens Bank, BG Trinidad and Tobago, Toyota Trinidad and Tobago, Blue Mountain and IETV.
