Mchael Vaughan, Botham tour Mankulam

Saturday, 2 April 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former England cricketer Sir Ian Botham early this week visited Mankulam to oversee plans to build a sports complex.

“I am hugely impressed by the plans for a new sports complex site which will regenerate communities and encourage reconciliation,” media reported quoting Sir Botham.

The project is led by Sri Lanka’s world record bowler Muttiah Muralitharan’s charity, the Foundation of Goodness, to help thousands of children in the former war zone. “We have ambitious plans for the sports centre near Mankulam, and I am confident that when the plans are realised we will have built one of the finest facilities in the region,” said Muralitharan.

London-based Laureus Sports which organised the visit said Botham also visited a school in Mankulam and handed out food and cooking utensils and stoves.

Botham, who was joined on the tour by former Ashes-winning England cricket captain, Michael Vaughan, took part in a friendly match later in the day with local children.