Many athletes took on a leadership role during the pandemic crisis, drawing national attention. Among them, Sachin Tendulkar pledged to provide monthly food supplies for 5,000 people through a charity, further supplementing his earlier donations to the government's pandemic relief funds.
A wide array of sporting figures showed great generosity, donating money to the state and providing essential gear like ventilators and masks to the community. Along with cricket stars like MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and the Pathan brothers, athletes from disciplines like wrestling and badminton also stepped forward with financial aid. This spirit of giving was highlighted on April 9, 2020, when the Mumbai NGO Apnalaya tweeted about the support they received from Tendulkar.
The NGO's post thanked the cricketer for his generosity, noting that such help was crucial for those suffering under the strict 21-day lockdown. Tendulkar replied to the message, expressing his appreciation for the organization's vital community service. To further bolster the fight against the coronavirus, he contributed 25 lakhs each to the PM-CARES and the CM’s relief funds.
India has reported over 7,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections and more than 200 fatalities. Meanwhile, 643 patients who have recovered from the virus are remaining in isolation for a short period as a safety measure.