COLOMBO, July 20: The Cricketers' Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) has reacted positively and sympathetically to Ramnath Parkar's tragic condition. The former Test opening partner of Sunil Gavaskar has been bedridden and is a virtual vegetable since he was injured in a road accident a year and half ago.

Parkar was on his way to perform his duties as a coach of the Elf-Vengsarkar Cricket Academy in The Oval, Mumbai, when he was knocked off from his scooter by a speeding vehicle. After months of post-surgery convalescence in hospital, Parkar has shown little signs of recovery.

When this reporter enlightened Asif Iqbal about Parkar's case, the CBFS coordinator gave a sympathetic ear and then said: ``The system CBFS follows is that we have a list of international cricketers from the cricket boards of India and Pakistan.

"It's the normal procedure to go by the lists on deciding our beneficiaries. This is to ensure that there are no pressures from influential relatives, high-ranking government officials and ministers.

``However, we do make exceptions under special circumstances when a player is badly in need of financial support.''

Iqbal said that what the Parkar family should do now is to get in touch with the Board or directly with the CBFS to set the ball rolling. He said he saw no problems in helping a genuinely needy player like Parkar.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.