Vijay Amritraj launches foundation in California to fight AIDS

Washington, June 14 (UNI) Former tennis player and now a United Nations Messenger of Peace, Vijay Amritraj has launched his public charity in Beverly Hills, California and the foundation will host a golf tournament in November to raise funds for HIV/AIDS awareness and pediatric AIDS patients in India.

The Vijay Amritraj Foundation will host the inaugural Vijay Amritraj Charity Golf Classic in November, the former player revealed here.

''Since my appointment as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, I have seen first hand the magnitude of plight and suffering that exists around us and something had to be done to help millions who continue to succumb to disease,tragedy and circumstance,'' said the former player.

The Vijay Amritraj Foundation is a California-based, tax-exempted public charity organisation with the mission to bring ''hope, help and healing to the defenceless and innocent victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance in India.'' Amritraj has supported charities for nearly 30 years through appearances, playing exhibition matches, attending galas and charities in India.

Now, combining his personal and professional network with the strength of the 2.5 million Indian-Americans, the most affluent minority in the country, Amritraj wants to raise funds and other supplies for those in need in India.

The foundation's hopes to identify and support different charities in India based on their work and need.

The first fundraising event -- the inaugural golf tournament and a gala banquet -- will be a two-day event starting on November 4.

Around 288 golfers will pay or be sponsored to play to raise money at the prestigious Lost Canyons Golf Club in Simi Valley, which is among the top 100 clubs in the country.

This will be followed by a celebrity-studded,Hollywood-style banquet gala at the landmark Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on November 5.

Amritraj said he had received overwhelming support from sponsors and the Indian-American community. Most sponsors are known to Amritraj through his personal and corporate network as tremendous supporters of sports and charity. Amritraj said these sponsors would build goodwill and receive excellent promotion in the US and in India.

He added that events such as the golf classic and gala would also provide corporates a great opportunity to host clients and friends in what promises to be a celebrity-studded, fun-filled weekend of celebrations.

Amritraj thanked his friend Dr Vijay Mallya and Kingfisher Airlines as the title sponsor of the Vijay Amritraj Charity Golf Classic 2006.

''I'm very proud of our association with this event and it is a further step in our constant endeavor to make a difference in the lives of these special people,'' Dr Mallya, Chairman&CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited said.

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