RCB goes green

Bengaluru: Dovetailing the World Earth Hour to be observed on March 27, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have come up with a range of initiatives to promote the cause of environmental protection.

Before the 4 pm game between RCB and the Delhi Daredevils kicked off at Bengaluru on Thursday, the owner of RCB and Chairman of the UB Group, Vijay Mallya, walked out to the field to plant a few saplings as a symbolic gesture of the team’s commitment to the environment.

Team members, including Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa and Virat Kohli proceeded to pour water on a few saplings kept near the boundary boards in flower pots to pledge their support to the cause. The words: ‘RCB Game for Green’ were scrawled across the flower pots.

The saplings were then taken away by volunteers to be planted within the stadium and in green hubs across the city.

Anil Kumble presented the Delhi Daredevils’ stand-in captain Dinesh Karthik with a sapling during the toss to reiterate the city’s affiliation with the green cause. This sapling was subsequently planted in a nearby area by volunteers. There is talk about this gesture being a regular feature in RCB’s upcoming home games.

RCB team members have been brandishing green ribbons on their jerseys for a few games now. As their lucky mascot Deepika Padukone said to a TV presenter, “The team has undertaken various initiatives in the effort to go green – whether it is in the area of commuting to games or making other commitments.”