Harley Medcalf on his visit to India (Twitter/HarleyMedcalf)

Around 100 needy physically challenged cricketers have been provided financial aid with the help of former Australian skipper Steve Waugh’s manager Harley Medcalf during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India (PCCAI) announced on Thursday.

PCCAI secretary Ravi Chauhan said each cricketer was provided an amount of Rs 5000. “Each player was given Rs 5000 during the ongoing tough times,” Chauhan told PTI.

With 50 players of the Physically Challenged Cricketers Association of India funded I am pushing to complete my pledge to assist 100 players. They need our help! https://t.co/ZArwo49TN6@bhogleharsha @cricketcomau @ESPNcricinfo @Peter_Fitz @FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/q2oTpFE8va

— Harley Medcalf (@HarleyMedcalf) July 21, 2020

“I was visiting New Delhi with Steve Waugh in January. These guys were inspirational – the way they approach life, the way they approach the game, like Ninja warriors,” Medcalf said in an earlier video posted on Twitter.

He added that funding for these cricketers have dried up during the pandemic.

PCCAI further aims to extend its support to 400 physically challenged cricketers in need of help.

“The overall aim is to support 400 physically challenged cricketers. PCCAI would like to thank Harley Medcalf, Anand Chukka and one Praveen Nalla for their unrelenting support to this cause,” PCCAI said in a statement.

According to Chauhan, Medcalf and Chukka raised the funds, which were then distributed, while Nalla has been providing N-95 masks for the physically challenged cricketers.

“Special thanks to former Australia captain Steve Waugh for his support and encouragement to these boys,” the statement added.

Asked how the cricketers were selected, Chauhan said that they asked the respective state associations to give them list of needy players.