KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC-West Indies middle order batsman Marlon Samuels has launched a foundation aimed at supporting the blind and visually impaired in Jamaica.
The idea of the foundation came about after Samuels was partially blind for two weeks from a ball which hit him on the head during a match in the Australian Big Bash T20 tournament two years ago.
After recovering from surgery to repair a fractured eye socket, the 34-year-old pledged his support for the blind and visually impaired with a donation of $50,000 to the Salvation Army School which helped five students with their examinations.
“This is basically a charity that is in aid of the blind and disabled, and what it is going to be doing is rally people from the industry, both sports and corporate Jamaica to just give to the charity,” Samuels explained.
“The funds collected will then be handed over to the various entities that will deal with things related to the blind and disabled”.
Among those attending the launch Monday, at Samuels residence in Jamaica’s south east parish of St.Andrew’s, were West Indies head coach Phil Simmons, former pacer Courtney Walsh, West Indies bowling coach Sir Curtly Ambrose, and limited overs Captain Jason Holder.
Samuels, who also bowls right-arm off-spin, is yet to confirm the name of the charity.
“We have not finalised that as yet,” he said.
“But one of the names that we are looking at is the ‘Marlon Samuels charity’ or ‘Marlon Samuels Foundation’”.
Samuels has been a senior member of the West Indies team since his return to the region side in 2008 after serving a two year ban.
