Marlon Samuels Launches Foundation for the Blind & Disabled

West Indies batman and international cricket star Marlon Samuels recently launched his new foundation aimed at rendering assistance to the visually impaired and other members of the disabled community.

The announcement made at an event hosted by the all-rounder at his Chancery Hall residence last week saw a cadre of noted personalities in attendance including Ambassador Courtney Walsh, Coach Phil Simmons, Captain Jason Holder, bowling coach Curtly Ambrose current squad members Devendra Bishoo, Test Captain Denesh Ramdin and entertainers Half Pint, Nesbeth, Carlene Davis and husband Tommy Cowan among several others.

The move to launch the charitable foundation came after Samuels was struck through the grille of his helmet by a ball from Sri Lankan pace bowler Lasith Malinga in 2013, while representing Melbourne Renegades in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 tournament. The blow left the right-handed batsman partially blind for two weeks, forcing him to sojourn in his hotel subsequent to doing surgery for a fractured eye socket.

Upon recovery, the Jamaican pledged his support for the visually impaired with a donation to the Salvation Army School. The sum was used to aid several students with their examinations.

In a statement to the media Samuels explained, "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 give to the charity. The funds collected will then be handed over to the various entities that will deal with things related to the blind and disabled," 

Alluding to the official name of the charity the batsman added,

"Despite launching we have not finalised that as yet, but one of the names that we are looking at is the 'Marlon Samuels charity' or 'Marlon Samuels Foundation',"

Samuels who made his Test debut fifteen years ago, is currently part of the West Indies squad facing  Australia on their Caribbean tour.