English Football Offers Help to China's Quake Victims

An English football team which happens to own the Chengdu Blades based in the quake-hit Sichuan province is trying to offer care and assistance on Wednesday.

Chairman Kevin McCabe and club director Scott McCabe of Blades PLC, which owns the Chengdu Blades in Sichuan province, are planning to visit the disaster region in June.

McCabe said, "We are helping in the best way we can the people who have come to know us through the Chengdu Blades."

Players and staff at the Chengdu Blades, one of the Chinese Super League team, are now donating blood and giving out Chengdu Blades and Sheffield United shirts to youngsters, and a minute of silence will be served at the next home game of the Chengdu Blades for the victims of the earthquake.

Michael Watts, fitness coach of Sheffield United was in the Sichuan province on a visit to United's sister club the Chengdu Blades when the 7.9 tremor rocked the region.

Watts said the city was starting to return to some form of normality more than two days after the earthquake.

At this weekend's match the team will wear the salvage hotline number on their shirts, players will wear black armbands and have a minute silence before the kick-off the first time in Chinese football history.

On Wednesday, Michael said the city was starting to return to some form of normality more than two days after the earthquake.

Officials at Chengdu Blades have indicated all personnel at the club are safe, although some may have lost relatives in the province and assistance is being given to those staff members.

The English football club have begun efforts to bring aid and relief to victims of the Chinese earthquake.

In addition, United, through the Chengdu Blades have offered their support to the Chinese government.

McCabe had hoped to fly in to the disaster region as he returned from Australia where he is on a business trip.

"At the moment it is just not possible. The airport is closed and there is no other practical way of reaching the area," said McCabe.

"With some difficulty I've been able to make contact with our colleagues in Chengdu - thankfully everyone is ok and have welcomed the offers of help and support from Sheffield.

"We will continue to liaise closely with the club and colleagues in Chengdu and have contacted the Government to offer our assistance in any way we can."

Source: Xinhua