Pinki Sonkar is an 11-year old native of Mirzapur, India and she will be going to London to participate in the most anticipated event of the summer in the English calendar – the annual Wimbledon Championships. This year, she will grace the centre court to flip the toss coin at the gentlemen’s singles final match.
On July 7, the young beneficiary of Smile Train will meet the best tennis players on grass when she tosses the coin ahead of the marquee. The Wimbledon final matches are usually watched by around 300 million people in 70 countries across the globe.
Smile Train representative
Pinki Sonkar is the chosen representative of Smile Train, the largest non-profit organization in the world that serves persons with cleft lip and palate. Smile Train is based in New York City and provides free surgical intervention to persons with congenital cleft lip and palate in many countries worldwide. Smile Train is the charity partner chosen for this year’s most anticipated Grand Slam tennis final.
A Wimbledon experience
Pinki will have the honor to share a moment with any of the favorites for the men’s Wimbledon final this year – the top five in the men’s tennis rankings namely Novak Djokovic (1), Andy Murray (2), Roger Federer (3), David Ferrer (4), and Rafael Nadal (5). For her court duties, Pinki will be guided by the Championships’ Referee and the Chair Umpire Andrew Jarrett.
After opening the game, Pinki will be given the opportunity to watch it in its entirety and then have lunch at the Competitors’ Restaurant. During her time in London, Pinki is scheduled to attend other tournament-related events. In addition, she will have the chance to meet with supporters of Smile Train in the United Kingdom. Also part of Pinki’s Wimbledon experience is a Wimbledon celebration with former champions Jim Courier and Monica Seles at the Madison Square Park in New York City.
A new adventure
Pinki Sonkar’s surgeon Dr. Doctor Subodh Kumar Singh will travel with the young girl to London. Dr. Singh performed the corrective surgery on Pinki six years ago in 2007 for the cleft deformity she was born with. On July 2, Sir James Bevan, the British High Commissioner to India will organize a send-off dinner for Pinki at his residence where people will share good wishes for her imminent travels.
Pinki’s life-changing surgery was featured in a documentary short film entitled, “Smile Pinki.” Since the corrective surgery, Pinki’s life has changed and the story of her release from shame and isolation has served as an inspiration to others. Her story has brought hope to those born with cleft lip and palate. Now, the 11 year-old is all set for a whole new different adventure.
“Smile Pinki”
Megan Mylan, an Emmy-winning director made a 39-minute documentary on Pinki’s journey with cleft. “Smile Pinki” showed a young girl’s triumphant transition from a life of humiliation into acceptance after surgery was performed courtesy of Smile Train. “Smile Pinki” was awarded the 2008 Oscar for Best Short Documentary. The film is still considered by many as one of the most powerful films ever made on a medical issue.
Photo Credit: Smile Pinki
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