Tuesday 3 July 2012 marks the fourth anniversary of the Future Friendship Cup International Cricket match between India and Pakistan organised to raise funds to launch The British Asian Trust.
One of the world’s most exciting cricket matches that never happened, the Future Friendship Cup was called off due to torrential rain at the grounds in Glasgow. Rain or no rain, The British Asian Trust was born thanks to insurance proceeds.
The good that came of the occasion was summed up both by Shoaib Malik, then Pakistan captain, who paid tribute to the organisers as well as the welcome received in Glasgow and Rahul Dravid, then Indian captain.
“It’s a real shame the match didn’t take place but it was fantastic that the two teams got together to make what started as an idea become reality,” the Indian captain said at the time.
The idea for The British Asian Trust also became a reality. Just four years after the event, the Trust is transforming the lives of 350,000 people across South Asia and the UK. With a portfolio of 13 high-impact, pioneering charities, The British Asian Trust is reaching out to the poorest communities in the critical areas of education, health and livelihoods.
Hitan Mehta, Trust Executive Director, played a lead role in organising The Future Friendship Cup. “It took months of intensive planning and the excitement level was high. We were devastated when the rains came; but the ‘rainbow’ came in the form of insurance cover. Our goal of launching The British Asian Trust was realised and we are going from strength to strength,” he said.
The original idea behind this match came from HRH The Prince of Wales, who saw it as an opportunity to mark the 60th Anniversary of Indian and Pakistan’s Independence and help to foster on-going relations between the UK and South Asia.
Trust Chairman Manoj Badale said: “We weren’t going to let a little rain get in the way of our mission to bring lasting change to disadvantaged communities across South Asia and the UK,” he said. “It’s amazing what The British Asian Trust has achieved in the four years since its launch. Our impact can be felt in hundreds of disadvantage communities in South Asia and the UK and we are growing every day.”
