The Assam Cricket Association on Thursday offered to convert its Barsapara Stadium premises into quarantine centres as the state government braced up for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though Assam is yet to report a positive coronavirus case, the state government is not taking any chances, asking its people to strictly follow the 21-day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
"In view of the emergent situation arising due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19 pandemic), Assam Cricket Association president Romen Dutta and secretary Devajit Saikia, on behalf of the state body, has decided to offer the Barsapara Stadium and its premises to Government of Assam for establishing temporary hospital and quarantine centre," Saikia said in a statement.
"ACA will provide every possible support to the state government to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak during this critical juncture."
On Tuesday, former Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president and current BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly had offered Eden Gardens' indoor facility and the players dormitory to the West Bengal government to create a temporary medical facility to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
"If government asks us, we will certainly hand over the facility. Anything that is need of the hour, we will do it. There is absolutely no problem," Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI.
Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) office-bearers on Thursday raised Rs 4 lakh for the West Bengal Emergency Relief Fund to help stem the spread of coronavirus.
CAB president Avishek Dalmiya had on Wednesday made a personal contribution of Rs 5 lakh, while the association donated Rs 25 lakh towards the COVID-19 pandemic aid.
The cricket body's secretary Snehashis Ganguly, vice-president Naresh Ojha, joint-secretary Debabrata Das and its affiliated unit South Suburban Club donated Rs 1 lakh each.
"In these dark days we need to fight this pandemic shoulder to shoulder. Hence, I have decided to contribute Rs one lakh personally to the cause. Let's do our best to battle this menace," Snehasish, brother of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and a former cricketer himself, said in a statement.
He further said that his Salt Lake-based academy - '22-Yards' - will donate Rs 50,000.
"These are uncertain times and we all need to come forward and join the battle. I feel humbled to make a paltry contribution of one lakh rupees to the cause," CAB vice-president Ojha said.
"I am happy to inform that South Suburban Club has shown its keenness to be with the people of the state by contributing Rs 1 lakh," Debasish Ganguly, the treasurer at CAB, said.
"Based on the appeal made by Avishek Dalmiya, I am happy to make a humble contribution of Rs 1 lakh to the state fund to help fight the pandemic," joint secretary Debabrata Das said.
The CAB also urged current and former cricketers, scorers, umpires, match observers, coaches, committee members and others connected with the organisation to come forward and donate.
The pandemic has so far claimed 13 lives in the country while infecting nearly 650 people.
Globally, it has resulted in over 22000 death while infecting lakhs of people.
