International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) joined hands with UNICEF and Sri Lankan Cricket in support of the ‘Cricket for Children’ initiative for the war affected children of the North and East of the island nation and also to reintegrate former child soldiers in their communities of origin.<br/><br/>The stars of Indian cinema and Sri Lanka cricket; Hirthik Roshan, Suniel Shetty and Kumar Sangakkara, will captain the three teams that will compete for the cause of children in the IIFA Celebrity Cricket Match on the June 4. Part of the proceeds from the match will be donated to the Sri Lanka Cricket and UNICEF ‘Cricket for Children’ initiative.<br/><br/>Speaking on the event held at the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, the Captain of the Sri Lanka’s national team, Kumar Sangakkara said ‘Cricket can be used as a force for change, bringing hope and healing to vulnerable children’. He will be joined by teammates Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttaiah Muralithran and Mahela Jayawardane in Thursday’s star studded cricket game.<br/><br/>The cricket match will be one of the key features of the IIFA Weekend celebrations and the Micromax IIFA Awards in Colombo. Wizcraft director, Sabbas Joseph said.<br/><br/>’IIFA is proud to join forces with UNICEF and the Sri Lanka Cricket in this noble cause. With this initiative we hope to bring hope and light up the lives of the deprived children.’<br/><br/>’We are harnessing the power of sport and cinema through this event, to reach out to children who have been robbed of their childhood and give them a chance for a new start in life’ said UNICEF representative for Sri Lanka, Philippe Duamelle.<br/><br/>Earlier this year, former child soldiers and other vulnerable children were trained as cricket Peer Leaders as part of a partnership between the ICC, Sri Lanka Cricket, and Bureau of the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation, Cricket for Change and UNICEF. <br/><br/>Beyond the game of cricket, these children also learnt the values of team work, respect and fair play. Sri Lanka Cricet and UNICEF are now supporting the Peer Leaders to organize cricket games among youth in their communities of origin.