The Hindu : ICPA to provide medical insurance to players

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

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Sport - Sports : General

ICPA to provide medical insurance to players

By Our Special Correspondent

EXTRA COVER: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly hands over the signed application for insurance cover to the chairman of the National Insurance Company Limited, H.S. Wadhwa (left), in Kolkata on Thursday at a meeting organised by the Indian Cricket Players' Association. Ravi Shastri and Arun Lal (right) are also seen.

KOLKATA MAY 8. The Indian Cricket Players' Association (ICPA) on Thursday announced its decision to provide medical insurance for all Test cricketers, past and present, and all current first class cricketers free of charge.

In association with Medicare Service Club and National Insurance Company Limited, the ICPA has envisaged plans to cover the entire family of a player (self, wife and two children and dependent parents) for an amount of Rs. 3.5 lakh per year. This would also include a cover of up to Rs. 50,000 for maternity.

Mr. Arun Lal, the vice-president of the association, said it was a very comprehensive policy and all the Test cricketers have accepted it.

Apart from settling all claims, the plan would support cashless service in 402 top hospitals in 46 cities throughout the country. The insurance company will directly settle all the bills of a member of the association.

Mr. Lal clarified that to avail of the facility a player has to become a member. He hoped all the past and present cricketers would come forward to join the cause.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman of the insurance company, Mr. H.S. Wadhwa, said the policy was specially devised to cater to the needs of cricketers.

Mr. Ravi Shastri, who played a major role, termed it as a `monumental step' and hoped the insurance plan would satisfy the needs of the cricketers hitherto, not thought of by anybody in the past.

"Former Test cricketers who languish owing to want of means for treatment would benefit much,'' Shastri said.

The company announced that the insurance plan for all Test cricketers was free of charge. The cover for all current first class cricketers would be provided for by the ICPA.

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said it was a `wonderful thing to happen' especially to hundreds of first class cricketers who would benefit immensely by this.

He said all the 14 India players would give full support to make the ICPA strong and better.

Ganguly refused to express his views on the latest move to restore cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

"It's not for me to comment on anything so sensitive. We obviously go by the Board's direction,'' he said.

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