Cricketers raise funds for family of man killed by car

The Cayman Islands Gully Cricket Association, part of the Indian Cayman Community group, hosted a special tournament over the weekend in honour of Nikhil Rajput, who died after being struck by a car as he walked to work last month.

The event raised $2,000 in donations for Rajput’s family.

The amateur cricketers, with the assistance of spectators and supporters, secured donations for the relatives of the 32-year-old hospital lab technician who died last month after being struck by a vehicle as he walked to work.

Rakesh Baxani, vice president of the Indian Cayman Community group, speaking on the cricket tournament, said eight teams signed up for the event to help raise funds for Rajput’s family.

He said Health City Cayman Islands, where the lab tech had worked, also had a team in the tournament.

He said the association holds regular competitions to raise funds for various charities on island, including Meals on Wheels, Silent Voices and The Pines.

The weekend tournament was held at the netball court in Fairbanks.

Baxani said all the registration fees, as well as money raised from the donation box that was passed around during the games, will go towards assisting Rajput’s family.

“We have other cultural events that we do throughout the year, like Holi and Diwali [celebrations] to get our community involved, and when there are incidents like this, the committee comes together to help, and it’s really good to see that,” Baxani said.

Cricketers from the X-team emerged as the overall winners of the charity tournament.

Baxani said more charity cricket events are planned for the new year.

Case still under investigation

Rajput, who had just returned from India where he had been engaged to be married, was employed at Health City’s East End facility.

He was hit by a Suzuki Swift as he walked on Sea View Road near Health City at about 7:20pm on 8 Nov. The driver was later arrested after failing a breathalyser test.

Rajput was rushed by ambulance to George Town Hospital, but died the following day.

Police, in response to Cayman Compass, said the matter remains under investigation.

“The driver of the vehicle [in the incident] is currently on bail. No charges have been filed at this time,” the RCIPS said.

The Compass understands Rajput was repatriated to his homeland, India, for his final rites.