Sir Garfield Sobers to give coaching session to Muslim Refugees in Brisbane
Sir Garfield Sobers, the honoured West Indian all-rounder is set to give a coaching session to Muslim Refugees in Brisbane, Australia. Sobers will be present for the pink ball Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The 80-year-old will also address several private functions in Brisbane and is expected to make some public lunches at Toowoomba and Townsville in the second week of December.
Sobers is set to be brought to the venue, where he notched up a brilliant hundred in a tied Test against the hosts in 1960-61, by a group of businessmen brought together by a federal member for Australian house of representatives Ryan, Michael Johnson.
Also Read: Sir Garry Sobers: The five-in-one cricketer
A member of the Islamic Council of Queensland, from where the businessmen hail, Fahim Khondaker, has scheduled for a net session with the refugees as well.
“I have so many fond memories of the Tied Test and I can’t wait to come back to Brisbane,’’ Sobers said from Barbados.
Sobers had smacked a magnificent 132 in the famous tied Test at Brisbane in 1960-61. The West Indian went on to speak about the great spirit with which the great match and series was played. The Test became famous as it was the first ever tied Test in the history of the game.
“One thing that stands out is that both teams stayed at the same hotel. We got to know each other so well. Some of my best cricketing friends were in that Australian team. That whole series was played in a spirit that still stays with me.’’
Michael Johnson spoke about how the refugees, hailing from Asian countries, are keen to have the session with one of the greatest legends of the game. He was vocal about cricket's worldwide appeal and about the wonderful opportunity it is for the youngsters.
He went on to speak about his dad, who was a huge fan of the legendary West Indian. More than a great cricketer, Sobers was hailed as a great human being by his father.
“I grew up with a father who was a cricket tragic who always said to me that if I could ever meet Sir Garfield, I would have been in the presence of not just a great cricketer but a great man because of the values he embraced playing the game and now it will happen", said Johnson.