Athletics South Africa (ASA) has called on all relevant sectors of the athletics family to urgently heed an offer made by the Minister of Sport, Nathi Mthethwa, to apply to a fund he has created to meet losses suffered by athletes, coaches and other stakeholders due to coronavirus.
Called the COVID-19 Sport, Arts and Culture Relief Fund, applicants have until 6 April 2020 to submit their requests. Only applicants affected by events cancelled for the period 16 March to end of June 2020 when the State President declared a National State of Disaster.
While ASA awaits a detailed clarity on this fund, the federation has extended an urgent request to national athletes, coaches and support personnel. This includes athletes in our national Preparation Squads for the 2020 season who were due to compete in events under the various African Championships, World Athletics and Olympic Games, all of which have been postponed.
It also covers claims arising from ASA national and provincial events that have also been postponed due to the announcement of COVID 19.
“We know that there is not enough time given to work on this, but you are urged to submit your claims with immediate speed to ASA and via your provinces,” appealed Aleck Skhosana, the President of ASA. “Local Organising Committees, in particular, must submit to ASA their loss of income due to the relevant postponements and cancellations.
“ASA however, cautions that while the invitation to apply lacks details of which type of athletes are targeted, only elite athletes are likely to be considered by the fund administrators. Athletes Representative are, therefore, urgently required to communicate with ASA Excellence Manager (Hezekiel Sepeng) to quantify their losses based on the anticipated and previous years’ earnings from Athletics competitions.”
Please click on the link below to download the application form and send it to the emails below:
- Email to: Richard Stander at ceo@athleticssa.net and Hezekiel Sepeng at hezekiel@athleticssa.co.za and streetathletics8@gmail.com
For more the statement of the minister please click the link below
