Legendary Pakistani Cricketer Wasim Akram Hands Over the Torch to Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar Akshay Kumar (center) is flanked by Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director Troy Greisen (left) and Wasim Akram (right) and two Special Olympics Bharat (India) athletes. Kumar received the "Flame of Hope" from Akram in the Torch Run leading up to the 2006 Special Olympics International Cricket Cup in Mumbai, India. After a successful torch lighting in London and the first leg of the Torch Run in Sydney, Australia, the "Flame of Hope" for the 2006 Special Olympics International Cricket Cup entered India on 31 October through the historic Wagah border. Wasim Akram, one of Pakistan's all-time greatest cricket players, carried the torch across Pakistan and handed it to Bollywood actor and Special Olympics ambassador Akshay Kumar at “zero point." The transfer ceremony was celebrated with music played by the royal band of Border Security Forces. The occasion was witnessed by Air Marshal Denzil Keelor, Special Olympics Bharat (India) Chairman; Syed Ahmed, Special Olympics Pakistan Chairman; and Special Olympics athletes from both Programs, as well as many other renowned dignitaries. The torch will now be carried to the famous Gymkhana Cricket Grounds in Mumbai, India, for the Opening Ceremonies of the Cricket Cup, scheduled for 6 November. This ceremony was the the third leg in a series of Torch Run events which began on 16 October in London, England, where the torch was lit at Lord's Cricket Ground, regarded as the traditional and spiritual "home of cricket." From there the torch went to Sydney, Australia, where officials and cricket players took part in a ceremony on the steps of that city's famous Opera House to announce the Special Olympics Australia team going to Mumbai. Then the torch arrived in Pakistan, where Akram carried it across the border into India. This historic event marked the first time authorities have allowed such a high-profile event to take place on the tightly secured Wagah border, which has been the scene of conflict between the two countries. Hundreds of media from both Pakistan and India turned up for this Special Olympics moment.  Akram, a former captain of the Pakistani cricket team, said, “I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes and congratulate Special Olympics for the immeasurable value they have added to the lives of millions of people through this unique movement. I feel extremely honored to be part of this special cause and wish them all the very best for this commendable mission." Kumar commented, “Firstly I wish to thank the Special Olympics team for giving me an opportunity to be associated with this event. This association underscores my faith in Special Olympics and its commitment to make the Special Olympics International Cricket Cup a bigger success each year. Their endeavour is a perfect example of an integrated approach towards "unified" sports teams of Special Olympics athletes and sports and Bollywood celebrities.” (Bollywood is the informal name for the popular Mumbai-based Hindi language film industry in India.) Troy W. Greisen, Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director, said, “We are very delighted to receive such support for this historic Special Olympics event. It is indeed a great motivational boost for our team to perform, achieve and realize their potential. The opportunity to carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" across lines that divide shows that in Special Olympics there are no boundaries. I solicit every one to witness the celebration of courage and bravery at the first Special Olympics International Cricket Cup 2006 in Mumbai.” The Cricket Cup will be held 6-10 November in Mumbai. Special Olympics athletes from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies are scheduled to participate. Female teams from India and Pakistan also will compete. Ten male, three female, and Unified Sports teams will make up the field. (Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an initiative that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities, called partners, on sports teams for training and competition.)      < Return to main International Cricket Cup page > page