Indian tennis legend Leander Paes's Wimbledon mixed doubles winning racquets and India's limited-overs' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wicket-keeping gloves and pads fetched Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively at a charity event, organised by sports website xtratime.in.
Leander's racquets were bought by former India cricketer and Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary, who termed the tennis player going for his seventh successive Olympics as an "inspiration for all sportspersons".
The auction was held to help die-hard Mohun Bagan fan Bapi Majhi, who is suffering from liver cancer, and the family of deceased East Bengal supporter Alip Chakraborty.
According to a statement from the website, a total amount of Rs 14 lakh was collected. It will be handed over to Majhi and Chakraborty's families.
After buying the racquets, Tiwary said, “At the age of 42 Leander is still winning Grand Slams. His dedication and hard work is an inspiration for all sportspersons. I love playing tennis during breaks and it would be nice to play with these racquets."
Paes called up Tiwary and also promised to meet him sometime later this year when he comes to Kolkata.
Kolkata-based film producer Namit Bajoria bought Pele's autographed football for Rs 1.10 lakh.
Other items, like Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri's jersey and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane's jersey were also bought at the auction.
