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Covid 19 crisis: Karnataka Swimming Association leads way, provide financial help to coaches, pool staff

Karnataka Swimming Association (KSA) announced on Thursday (September 17) that through its fundraiser 'KSA Cares' will provide a three-month financial relief package worth Rs 15 lakh to coaches and pool staff.

Covid 19 crisis: KSA leads way

Bengaluru, September 17: In a first-of-a-kind initiative by a state governing body for swimming in India, the Karnataka Swimming Association (KSA) announced on Thursday (September 17) that through its fundraiser 'KSA Cares' will provide a three-month financial relief package worth Rs 15 lakh to coaches and pool staff across the state who have been in need of monetary support after swimming pools remained shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In August, KSA dispersed Rs 5.50 lakh financial aid to 250 coaches and pool staff across Karnataka. A sum of Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 each per month was contributed to an individual basis his or her designation, performance and take-home salary at the time of lockdown.

Apart from this, the State Association also distributed dry ration worth Rs 3,000 each to coaches and pool staff from affiliated centres across the state who are registered with the Karnataka Swimming Association. This relief package will be extended till the month of October.

"With the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directive to keep the Swimming Pools shut into its sixth consecutive month, Coaches and Pool Staff have been the hardest hit in the swimming community. We took up the onus of supporting them through a substantial
3-month financial aid starting August," said KSA President Gopal Hosur IPS (Rtd) who said the second round of financial aid was dispersed earlier this week.

"I am happy to note that we have deposited the second round of financial aid on 14th September to the coaches and pool staff's accounts. Apart from KSA's own funds, we also received overwhelming support from Infosys Foundation who contributed 400 bags of food items, Premanjali Foundation contributed 300 bags and Kirloskar Systems contributed Rs3lakh towards the cause," Hosur said.

Coaches and pool staff from various districts including Mangaluru, Belgaum, Mandya, Davengere, Karwar, Udupi, Shimoga among others have benefited from this initiative. The selection process involved individuals applying for the financial aid through Google Doc shared by KSA with affiliated centres across the state.

"Initially we had about 270 people apply for the financial aid. We selected those who are registered with us and we also extended support to those who frequently volunteered to support KSA during events and competitions. With Rs 10,000 being the highest sum, we created different slabs for the financial aid depending on merit, performance and the monthly salary. We at KSA are very grateful to all the organizations and individuals who extended their support in these challenging times," said Satish Kumar, Secretary General, KSA.

Sanjo KP, a coach from Davengere, said this financial aid has pulled him out of crisis. "It had come to a point where I would have to take hand loans only to cover the costs of my meals. With pools shut during summer, our income became NIL and savings were all spent to survive the lockdown months. We were in dire need of help and KSA announced this relief package at the right time.

"I have received Rs 5,000 each in August and September. This really helps cover my basic costs and I know I can survive with this until pools restart. The best part is, this is not a one-time bail out but a three-month package. No other state swimming association in the country has taken this kind of initiative and we are very grateful."

"We are extremely thankful to KSA for taking up this initiative. With no pools and no income generated for the last 6 months, the pool/ club owners have not been able to pay us salaries. We had to look at different options to make a living. For many of us, it had come down to a point where providing three meals a day for our families had become tough. This financial aid will certainly help us cover all the basics for three months and hopefully the Govt will allow pools to function soon," said Nataraj, Coach at Pooja Aquatic in Bengaluru.

Story first published: Thursday, September 17, 2020, 19:16 [IST]
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