The All-India Football Federation otherwise known as the AIFF during the crucial and difficult times of the pandemic have announced a relief grant for the match officials of the AIFF, the Covid-19 relief grant will be provided for extra income to the match officials that include referees and assistant referees.
With the uncertainties of the pandemic being dragged on for over a year now, the continuation and consistency in the conduction of matches have been uneven, to say the least and this, in turn, affects the incomes of the match officials who depend on the matches.
A total of 164 match officials in both category A and category B are eligible for the grant, the specific eligibility for the grant are the referees who do not have any other source of income except the match fee and the allowances.
The Grant’s total pool is a sum of Rs 25 Lakhs which will be distributed among the 164 officials and this will be a one-time payment to cover the losses incurred in the uncertain times of the pandemic.
The AIFF general secretary said that they realise that the times of the pandemic are tough for everyone and this grant will help the match officials by providing them with an income option.
IFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das averred, “The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world especially the sports industry hard and the essential COVID safety protocols have resulted in lack of sporting activities barring a few major professional events.”
“In our endeavour to move forward together, the AIFF understands that this has led to job and income loss for many who depend on these activities to earn their income. With the pandemic now extending beyond a year but with uncertainty still prevailing on when activities can start fully there are several people struggling financially,” the General Secretary added.