February 4: Imran is just like any other 12-year-old boy who loves cricket: he uses makeshift stumps for playing in Mumbai's narrow gullies and has dreams of making it to the Indian team some day and rubbing shoulders with Sachin Tendulkar.The only difference is, Imran suffers from a terminal disease. However, his dream was fulfilled on Wednesday morning when the Make-A-Wish Foundation made him their "Wish Child" and gave him the chance to practise with the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team at the Wankhede stadium. In complete cricketing gear, Imran played with Sachin Tendulkar, Abey Kuruvilla, Sanjay Manjrekar and Vinod Kambli. ``Imran had a wonderful time, and the cricketers were very kind. Sanjay Manjrekar took him out on the field and they played a full over with him, with Sachin bowling to Imran,'' Vanaja, a representative of the Foundation said. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, India, is a branch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the United States. The Foundation was formed with the purpose of granting the specialwishes of children who have been diagnosed with terminal or life-threatening diseases. Its branches are spread over 25 countries across the world.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
