SAI, IOA to help Covid-hit ex-athletes, coaches

Hyderabad: The Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Union Sports Ministry joined hands to help the former athletes and coaches who are affected with the dreaded coronavirus.

The three have created a website which allows any former national, international athlete or coach suffering from the coronavirus to upload the details and the respective State representative will follow it up and provide financial, medical and logistical support.

A Jagan Mohan Rao, the president of Handball Federation of India and the representative from the State along with national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, said, “All former national and international athletes and coaches are eligible to apply for this scheme. It is approved under Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare fund for sportspersons. Once someone applies through the website, it will reach the ministry in New Delhi and we have WhatsApp groups of all State representatives. The respective State representative will be informed and we will follow it up. Once we do the authentication, we will see to it that they get medical help like arranging hospital facilities, injections or any other logistical help,” he explained.

Jagan Mohan Rao also revealed that one of the physical instructor Joseph James applied through this scheme. The applicant will receive the help through State resources. The website for application is https://www.research.net/r/SAI-IOA-Covid-19.

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