Pragas' plight touches hearts of golfing stars

21/02/1998

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - They came to compete in the Malaysian Open Golf
Tournament, but when they read about J. Pragas' plight in the New Straits
Times today, six players from Europe and Flagship Marketing decided to
donate RM15,000 to help save his leg.
Pragas, whose parents Muthammah and T. Jayaram are rubber tappers at the
Ladang Bukit Pilah in Rompin, Johor, needs the money to undergo an
operation to save his leg from being amputated.
European Tour players Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, David Howell, Paul
McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Stuart Andrew, Ian Garbutt and Flagship Marketing
director Dale Hobson chipped in and the message to Pragas is: "Get well
soon."
"Most of us are regulars at the Malaysian Open and we have been here
many times before. The Malaysian people have been very kind to us and this
is our way of saying thank you," said Clarke, on behalf of the donors.
"We hope this small token will help the boy keep his leg."
Pragas' dilemma began in August when he became ill due to high fever and
his leg became badly swollen. Doctors in Segamat operated his leg and
inserted a tube to remove blood and pus. Pragas' leg was operated another
three times unsuccessfully.
The boy's case was then referred to an orthopaedic surgeon at the Puteri
Specialist Hospital in Johor Baru who said he could save Pragas' leg.
The operation and post-operative treatment will cost about RM15,000.
Whatever their scores on the Saujana greens, the six are surely
champions where Pragas is concerned.
(END)