400 applications for assistance from players and officials have been received by the Fiji Football Association during their COVID-19 and Tropical Cyclone Harold Survey.
This was confirmed by Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel who says they have gone through each application thoroughly and saw that there are some extreme cases whereby football seemed to be the only form of income for these players while there are many other moderate cases.
Patel says their team has worked hard on the survey to see the extent of the effect of COVID-19 and TC Harold on football players and officials in the country.
He believes the organisation has a duty and responsibility to reach out and assist the needs of the football family who are affected by the current health crisis and by TC Harold that recently had a major impact to the country.
The President says they understand that each district association will face their unique challenges and they want to do everything necessary to support them.
Patel says they were fortunate to apply for the funding approved by OFC Solidarity Fund.
The OFC Solidarity Fund has been developed to support staff, volunteers, players, coaches, referees and the wider football community across Oceania during this difficult time.
The grant is part of the OFC, FIFA FORWARD funding, which has been designed to cover four key areas, including food and hygiene packets, loss of income, medical allowances and self-isolation costs.
He is urging players who have filled in their application to be patient as they will get back to them very soon.
The OFC Solidarity Fund will also assist those countries that were directly affected by the TC Harold during this pandemic.
