Street 20: Street Child Cricket World Cup to be held in Chennai from Sept 22
Street 20, a world cup cricket, exclusively for Street Children will be held in Chennai for the first time. Street children from 15 countries including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Hungary, Mexico, South Africa, Srilanka and Rwanda will participate in the tournament which precedes ICC World Cup Cricket in India. The tournament will be held from 22nd September to October 1st. Team India, the defenders of the Cup, will be the star of the game. The first-ever street child Cricket World Cup was held in London in 2019 where Indian Children won the tournament.
Eight Indian Teams, namely, India Tigers from Chennai, Team India from India Lions, India Cats, India Wolves from Delhi, India Panthers from Kolkata, India King Cobras from Mumbai, and India Crocodiles from Odisha will participate in the World Cup. A 12-member contingent comprising of four boys, four girls, and substitute players from the team will also participate.
Apart from the Cricket matches, several fun activities and cultural events will be organised for the children. The Street Child United, UK is partnering with the Dhaya Foundation of Mrs. Latha Rajinikanth to host the second edition of the Street Child Cricket World Cup.
The members of the India Tigers team comprise children that include orphans and those who are homeless due to difficult life conditions. Dr. N. Paul Sundar Singh of the Karunalaya Shelter said that B. Monisha, the captain of the team lives on the pavement and is being provided education, training and the opportunity to play in international sports after identifying her skills. Karunalaya with the support of the State Department of Social Defence, Greater Chennai Corporation, Azim Premji Foundation, and Chennai Port Authority has been able to give a platform to the children to play the favorite game of cricket.