All Registered Hong Kong Sports Coach May Apply for the One-off Grant
The pandemic Covid-19 has halted most activities globally. Most nations are rolling out monetary funds to help keep jobs and sustenance. Among those who are feeling the pinch are in the sporting industry. Persons from athletes to coaches to sports facilities operators are running low on financial as Covid-19 has all sporting events cancelled to further curb the infection on a global rate. Even when some sectors of the economy in Hong Kong are back in business, sporting events and facilities remain obscure. Thus, in this plight of the sports industry, the government is providing registered sports coach with a one-off grant from the Anti-Epidemic Fund.
Stripped of Sources
Although at one point, Hong Kong reopened all of its sectors, the measures put in place to curb the spread of infection meant that sports were challenging to carry out. Needless to say, sports activities, including coaching, will need close contact execution to be effective. Social distancing, as well as physical distancing, is further closing most sports training facilities. As such, sports coaches relying on these facilities have nowhere to go and nothing to do. To help cushion some of the impacts of basic living, the Anti-Epidemic Fund is launching its third economic roll-out for registered sports coaches. It may not affect relief coaches of their living maintenance substantially, but resilient coaches will do their best with the grant to restart a new life, within the same industry or otherwise.
From Physical to Digital
As many have begun to adopt and adapt digitalisation in their life, the pandemic has seemed to accelerate it to an essential part of sustained living. Sports coaches who may have access to the leisure and culture services facilities will now need to take their fitness regime online and conduct via contactless training, if possible. Private sports coaches who are regularly hired during summer vacation may now turn into fitness and health online coaches. While specific athletes may have a personal audience with specific sports coaches in person in the past, providing the registered sports coach with the one-off grant may be useful if the coaches decide to set up digital or online training sessions for their clients.
Open for Application
Eligible registered sports coach can now apply for the one-off grant valued at $5,000. Application for the grant will end on 30th November 2020. The National Sports Associations or recognised sports organisations will assess the sports coaches eligibility to apply for assistance. They should also provide proof of coaching services provided from 1st April 2019 to 30th September 2020. Besides that, they must be a Hong Kong resident, and if they are self-employed, registered sports coaches must declare in the application form when applying for the scheme. After submitting applications, successful applicants will begin to receive the grant around two months after the closing date. For more information, do visit the 18 District Leisure Services Offices of the LCSD or drop by the website.
