CAPE TOWN – Athletes and coaches whose livelihoods have been affected by the cancellation of sporting events due to the coronavirus will receive assistance from the government.
This was announced in a statement on Sunday by sports minister Nathi Mthethwa.
“Athletes who were confirmed to participate at events that have now been cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19, and whose income is generated solely through specific sporting events will be eligible for relief,” the minister said in the statement.
“They must provide proof that their events have been cancelled and their taxes must be in order.
The statement went on to add that coaches and technical support personnel who work with athletes whose sporting events have been cancelled or postponed due to the outbreak of the virus, and who make their earnings solely from these events are also eligible.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/ArtsCultureSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArtsCultureSASector Relief framework and Criteria.
(NB: Proposals should be addressed to the Arts Culture Promotion Development (ACPD) Branch and sent to [email protected] by the 4th April 2020) pic.twitter.com/Ru6tLobPVb
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA)
“They too must have their tax matters in order,” the statement read.
South Africa, the hardest hit country in Africa with over 1 000 cases and one death, is on day three of a nationwide lockdown as the government attempts to slow down the spread of the virus.
Over 32 000 people have died around the world so far.