When Royal Challengers' speedster wished fan speedy recovery

This multiple sclerosis-afflicted man was upbeat. It was a moment Luelin Leo had been waiting for, for long. The 27-year-old former footballer in his school and college teams had dreamt for long to meet players of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). On Thursday, RCB speedster Shane Watson was at his door.

Seeing Watson lit the face of the man confined to bed for four years now. Leo was told that a guest was expected, but little did he know that it would be one of his favourite players. The Australian cricketer visited Leo at his house at Kammanahalli and spent time with him talking about the game. It was one of Leo’s friends who facilitated the meeting.

“Did Virat Kohli not come along?” Leo asked Watson. The cricket enthusiast was told that they would try and arrange a meeting with the dashing batsman should time permit.

Luelin’s father Stephen told Deccan Herald, “He was diagnosed to have multiple sclerosis in 2012. He began limping in 2013 and was later completely bedridden.”The family is keeping their fingers crossed, hoping that Luelin’s condition will improve.

“We took him to Nimhans recently and he is on medication. We hope his movements get better,” said his father. With special interest in sports, he spends a lot of time watching cricket, Stephen said.

“As a football player, he has represented St Joseph’s School and College where he studied,” he said. Leo’s friends were also invited to be part of the gathering when Watson was at his house. Jude Felix, Indian team hockey player, accompanied Watson. Later in the day, the cricketer took to social media and shared photographs of his meeting with Leo.