With Love from Aamir Khan

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has always been known to be close to social causes and prefers to keep a lid on it. An avid sportsman in his youth, Aamir was also a junior tennis champion.

Hurdle crossed: St Anne's cricket team in a huddle. The boys' team have ‘with love from Aamir Khan' printed on the back of their jerseys. PIC/Nimesh Dave

Aamir got to know that the school he studied in - St Anne's High School (Bandra), was in need of funds for the cricket team. In came ‘Bhuvan' of Lagaan fame to the rescue and agreed to bear the cost of the team. And the team comprising children from humble backgrounds, have not let him down.

At Anne's defeated Our Lady of Remedy (Kandivli) by virtue of a first innings lead in the Giles Shield Plate Division semi-final on Wednesday to enter the final of the tournament for the first time.

The school first participated in the inter-school event in 2009. Last year, they lost in the quarter-final.u00a0It is learnt Aamir agreed to bear all the costs - gear, fees for a ground to train on, apparel, kit and other needs.

Though there is no mention of the amount spent, St Anne's coach Amit Sharma informed: "We started participating in MSSA tournaments four years ago without any cricketing gear.

"The school does not have special funds for its cricket team like other schools. It only pays our participation fees.u00a0"As our team mainly comprises kids from poor backgrounds, Aamir decided to bear all the costs. He readily agreed to provide the kids with the best possible facilities.

"In fact, he also rewards those who perform well in tournaments. As a token of our appreciation we have the words ‘With love from Aamir Khan' printed on our
jerseys," added Sharma. St Anne's will play the final against Lilavatibai Podar (Santacruz) at Azad Maidan from January 29 to 31.u00a0