Leading luminaries of Indian film and cricket world have come together to form a Film Cricket Board. This organisation would support untapped sporting talent and various social causes in the country by raising money through playing cricket against other celebrity teams across the globe.

Percept D'Mark and sports marketing companies has announced this new initiative, in association with stars from film and cricket.

The team will be managed by former Mumbai player and administrator Mayank Khandwala and Praveen Amre will be the coach. The physio of the team will be Aijaz Ashai and the yoga instructor Bharat Thakkur.

Suniel Shetty, the captain of the FCB team, said "I think it is the most organised way of approaching our passion and what we want to do. We are doing it for a charitable cause. We have already got x amount of people who are willing to play, not only in the country but world wide. I guess, it is one way of telling the world that we are there for you for any cause."

The main aim of FCB would be to unite the Indian Film Industry on a common platform offering charities.

Kapil Dev, Chairman of Hero Indian Sports Academy and brand ambassador of FCB, said, "We are not expecting them to have a great performance and anybody who becomes successful they have something to offer. The only thing is their commitment what we require for the cause, we are working for. I hope and I keep my fingers crossed that everybody look into that rather than keeping their own personalities and egos. I think sports unite everybody which is the beauty of sports. If they will make money, it will go to charities, will go to the sports and will look after the filmi people who have done well in their life."

The FCB's first cricket season from September 2005 to August 2006, will see them playing matches that have been confirmed in Australia, Singapore and UK. In India, the FCB will play two matches in Mumbai and a match in Delhi and one in Kolkata. Countries such as South Africa, Dubai and Pakistan have also shown interest in hosting such matches.

"I am very excited because it is for a social cause. The money generated will be used for charities. We have formed an organisation. We always wanted to work for charities. We want to make it as big as possible. And all celebrities should play as a team across the globe, make charities and have fun while playing cricket," said actor Aftab Shivdasani.

"We have formed our team in the industry through which we will play and generate revenue. This generated revenue will be utilized by the people involved in that. They will use it at their discretion as to how much of it will go back into sports and how much of it will be used for any kind of charitable or noble cause," said actor Arbaaz Khan.

The FCB team consists of around 30 members from the film industry, including Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Aditya Pancholi.