Mustafa donates Nepal prizes to ground staff and Pakistani charity
Rohan Mustafa will return to Dubai from another triumphant trip to Nepal yesterday having hit on a generous way to avoid excess baggage charges.
The UAE all-rounder was named the player of the series in the Pokhara Premier League, after playing a leading role for title-winners Chitwan Rhinos in the T20 franchise tournament.
For that, he won a TVS motorcycle. He also landed three man-of-the-match awards across the course of the tournament, including for his half-century in the win in Saturday’s final.
Instead of stuffing the oversized-cheques into his luggage, or finding a way to transport the bike back to the UAE, he has given away all the proceeds from his trip instead.
With the help of Paras Khadka, his teammate with Chitwan – as well as Team Abu Dhabi in last month’s T10 league – he will donate his winnings to the staff at the ground in Pokhara.
He also plans to send the money from the sale of the motorbike to a charity he supports near his family home in Pakistan.
“This time, I got three man of the match awards, which meant three lots of 10,000 rupees [Dh320],” Mustafa said.
“When I finished the tournament I spoke to Paras Khadka. I had seen so many ladies are working in the ground, and I told Paras that whenever that money is received, I want to donate it to the ground’s staff.
“Even if I get awards like that in UAE domestic cricket, I try to give it to the groundsmen or whoever I can.”
Mustafa has previous when it comes to such generosity. In April 2018, he was similarly successful at a tournament in Nepal.
He attempted to set up a foundation in his father’s name back in Pakistan.
Although he did not manage to do so, he continues to divert funds to an existing cause there.
“It is difficult to manage it from here while I am living in
Dubai, but there is a charitable foundation near to my home,” Mustafa said.
“There are eight to 10 children who are there, and I try to help out them.
“At Eid, I like to buy them clothes, or sometimes get them sweets – even though they do get good food.”
Mustafa said his strong showing in Pokhara, which is Nepal’s second most populous city, was prompted by the support he got there.
“The support I get from Nepali people is quite amazing,”
Mustafa said. “Sometimes they have even come to my hotel to take a photo. This is quite different for us [UAE players].
“When I go to the ground, they support me and cheer for me. It motivated me and got my confidence up, because the last time I played in Nepal my performance was not that good.
“This time, I felt pressure that I had to do something. Thanks to Paras and Babar [Hayat, Chitwan’s Hong Kong batsman], they gave me confidence, told me I had to stay at the wicket, and it was good for us.”