Top 5 international sports stars who undertook social work in India

Several sportspersons have taken up social work in their careers. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has helped countless numbers of children and adults and still continues to do so. However, a few sportspersons from outside of India have undertook a mission to help improve the conditions in the country. These athletes show that charity has no borders as they seek to make a difference in the lives of Indians. Here are the top five international sports stars who undertook social work in India.

#5 Brett Lee

Brett Lee with several children

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is famous for his speed and his passion for music. Lee took his passion and developed into something exceptional by opening a community music centre for Indian children in Govandi. Lee’s foundation ‘Mewsic’ works with local partners to give children, which consist mostly of rag pickers, an opportunity to play music instruments such as guitar, bongo and keyboard.

Lee also played alongside with the children in the centre which is the first of its kind in India. Mewsic aims to use the joy and power of music to heal, educate, and empower underprivileged children in India.

#4 Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal established a tennis school in Anantapur, near Bangalore on 17^th October 2010. The 14-time Grand Slam champion inaugurated the academy which will help children from the district to play tennis as well as receive education.

The academy was established in collaboration with Fundacion Vincente Ferrer (FVF), the Spanish arm of the Rural Development Trust (RDT), an Anantapur-based NGO. The King of Clay was accompanied by his mother Ana maria Parera and played tennis with the children at the academy.

#3 R A Dickey

R A Dickey

New York Mets pitcher, RA Dickey has helped countless girls in Mumbai by partnering with Bombay Teen Challenge to end sex trade in Mumbai. Dickey climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds as well as awarness of the human traficking in the city. He raised as much as $100,000 for the cause. Bombay Teen Challenge helps the victims of sex trafficking. You can help them out by donating here.

#2 Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh

Former Australian captain and cricket legend Steve Waugh has been a consistent face of social work in India. He has been consistently raising funds for the Calcutta girls’ foundation in Kolkata. The foundation works on ‘Udayan’ project which helps leprosy affected girls in the city, providing them with education, shelter and healthy food.

In 2009, Waugh started the Steve Waugh Global Foundation in Delhi. The foundation aims at changing lives of children with rare diseases and giving hope to their families.

#1 Roger Federer

Roger Federer

Roger Federer, Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, visited Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu on 22^ndDecember2006, which marked the two-year anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami. Federer visited recovery centres to interact with children who survived the natural disaster.

The 17-time-Grand Slam champion spent two days, providing support for the victims of the tsunami. Along with financial help, Federer ensured the children had a smile on their faces as well.