Memorabilia for thalassemia: Karachi charity to use auction of Afridi sports gear

The Karachi-based Omair Sana Foundation organised an auction in Houston, US which was attended by all rounder, Shahid Khan Afridi, and TV actor, Humayun Saeed. Afridi auctioned his bats, balls, shirt and other sports items. The proceeds will go to children in Karachi as well. PICTURE COURTESY OMAIR SANA FOUNDATION

The foundation organised its first fundraiser event in Houston, US for children battling thalassemia in Pakistan.

Although Afridi’s performance against India in the Asia Cup was not necessarily his best, the bat with which he played received the highest bid of $18,000. A ball, with which he took six wickets against Australia in the ODI played in Dubai in 2009, was auctioned at $12,000 while shirts worn during different tournaments gathered above $15,000.

Other items included Afridi’s gloves, an autographed stump from the recent match played in Bangladesh, a wicket won in the Asia Cup and some more balls. His gear was as popular with the Indian guest as it was with his Pakistani fans.  “Thalassemia is a worthy cause and the NGO has been doing excellent work,” Afridi told The Express Tribune over the phone on Friday. The NGO has also worked towards providing emergency relief in natural and man-made disasters. “They have worked with my younger brother to provide employment for young people and I am also aware of their efforts for the flood victims.”

While sharing his own experience of visiting Kharan in Quetta, he emphasised that the country desperately needs basic health facilities. “When I went to Kharan, which is known as the poorest area in the country, we saw that they did not even have clean drinking water. We could imagine the condition of food and their lifestyle from that alone.”

With so much poverty in the country, Afridi said that it gives him immense satisfaction to be able to do something for the country. He has worked for the areas of Muzaffargarh and other parts of Sindh, and is also an ambassador for the Islamic Relief Pakistan.

For a good cause

The OSF general secretary, Dr Saqib Ansari, said that the donated sum will be used for the treatment of children suffering from thalassemia. Currently, there are around 400 patients under the foundation’s care and who receive daily medicines and blood transfusions. The sum required per month for a patient varies between Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 which adds up to a yearly expense of Rs6 million at least. According to Ansari, the foundation also has expansion plans for which they require monetary assistance.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2012.