The Willow Sceptered Prince of the People

CENTRE I FOR INTERNA TIONALR COMPETITIVENESS & RESEARCH, EUROPE NAL FO ATIO RUM N ER FO T R IN E Q N U O A D L I I T N T Y Y O O L L GLOBAL KUMAR SANGAKKARA HALLof FAME THE WILLOW for being a champion of the game, an ambassador of his people and of his time, for demonstrating humility in greatness and for being an inspirational and artic- SCEPTERED ulate leader on and off the field, for dancing down the wicket, leading the charge in the battle against HIV and for changing the world, one life at a time through PRINCE OF THE his partnership with the Foundation of Goodness. PEOPLE euphoric fan following all across the cricketing nations, and especially in the subcontinent ‑ his contribution towards popularizing the game, and spreading joy and inspiring genera‑ tions with his stroke‑play, his char‑ acter and his acumen has indeed been incredible. Well, if records could speak, the ruled world cricket for one and half One of the world’s best ever bats‑ world would pause, and then break decades ‑ he is one of the greatest man, lightening‑quick behind the into rapturous applause whenever wicketkeeper‑batsmen the game stumps (who can forget him stump‑ this champion takes stage ‑ 134 has ever produced. He has helped ing Brian Lara, or catching Ravi tests and 404 one day internation‑ Sri Lankan cricket take a great leap Bopara’s failed sweep shot, or his als, 600 catches, over 12,400 test forward as he has been an icon and numerous diving one‑handed catch‑ runs with an average of 57, including role model for every budding wick‑ es) and pretty good with a ball in his 11 double centuries. Twice Wisden’s etkeeper in every cricket playing na‑ hand too, it’s hard to know what Ku‑ Goodness and Think Wise Initiative 25,000 people in coastal regions of Cricketer of the year, recipient of the tion. mar’s best cricketing attribute is – – aimed at raising social awareness Sri Lanka across 45 villages with largest number of Man of the Match All through the awards that came but obviously it would have to be his against life threatening specter of healthcare, business development, awards in international cricket and his way and the records that kept cover‑drive. HIV, AIDS. education, IT skills, women’s em‑ the only batsman to score four con‑ tumbling around him, he has been His life beyond those pair of gloves The Foundation of Goodness, was powerment and environmental man‑ secutive 150s in test cricket, he is a great ambassador of the game’s and that piece of willow has also established in 2009 to bridge the gap agement – all in line with the UN’s 17 one of the very rare few that stand fairness and integrity amidst every been as exemplary as it was during between rural and urban Sri Lanka, sustainable development goals. on the lofty peak reserved for com‑ controversies. He has also been his cricketing days. He has been and enable those living in rural Sri This is our priceless opportunity to parisons with the incomparable Don tarian they call Kumar Sangakkara. one of Sri Lanka’s most successful proactively involved in a lot of chari‑ Lanka to move out of poverty and salute this great man, who has dedi‑ Bradman, such is the halo of genuine Behind the stumps or in front – captains – guiding the team to vic‑ ty work in Sri Lanka through all these subsistence living and into self‑suf‑ cated his entire life for every fellow greatness that surrounds the crick‑ the sheer class and dominance tory on numerous occasions both years. The foundations he is associ‑ ficiency. Sri Lankans in their quest for happi‑ eter, leader, statesman and humani‑ with which Kumar Sangakkara has at home and overseas. With such ated with – especially Foundation of The Foundation now supports ness and peace. POWER BRANDS GLOBAL: LIFE POWER BRANDS GLOBAL: LIFE .

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