The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is developing and conceptualising a criteria to offer relief to athletes who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stacy McLean, Spokesperson for DCAS Minister, Anroux Marais, said the criteria are being developed based on the guidelines from the national Department of Sport, Arts Culture, and the criteria as well as the application details are expected to be finalised on Friday.
This comes after the national department of sport announced that it has received over 6 000 applications on deadline of 6 April for the COVID-19 Sport Minister’s Relief Fund. The R150 million relief fund was announced my Minister Nathi Mthethwa on 25 March as a measure towards assisting artists, athletes, technical personnel and the core ecosystem that supports them, to soften the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on their livelihood.
Their criteria for accessing this support, the identification of beneficiaries and the mechanism through which the relief fund will be managed, was developed in consultation with SASCOC and CCIFSA for the different sectors.
According to the Department, athletes who were confirmed to participate at events that has been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19, and whose income is generated solely through specific sporting events, will be eligible for relief.
They must provide proof that their events have been cancelled and their taxes must be in order. Coaches and technical support personnel must work with athletes whose sporting events have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19, and make their earnings solely from these events.
The department concluded that athletes who have not earned the status of being “National Athletes” may be catered for by their Provinces based on the Provincial Criteria.
