With COVID-19 wreaking havoc and making some people lose their livelihood, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has moved to raise money to provide food and other necessities for the daily wage workers.

The coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed over 16,000 lives across the world with over 300000 infected globally.

In a bid to curtail the spread, many countries have ordered a lockdown. In India, with curfew being announced sometime last week, the dreaded virus has infected over 500 people and killed ten people so far.

With the virus leading to lockdown and curfews, the sporting calendar has been badly affected alongside the informal sector. Those who also depend on daily wages are having a hard time providing for their families.

Sania in a video took to her social media page offering support to the Safa organisation with a pledge to donate. The Indian star is also asking people to do the same by helping the plights of daily workers during this difficult moment.

Speaking on the video, Sania who recently returned to the court after two years hiatus noted that the world is going through a difficult time as some people conveniently wait in their respective homes to see how everything will become ok again.

She, however, stated that not everyone is comfortable sitting home because there exist thousands of people who can’t fend for their loved ones, adding that it is the responsibility of the elites to take care of them in whatever capacity they can.

She pointed out that with collaboration with Safa and a few other people, it is hoped that many families would be helped throughout this difficult time and a lot of difference will be made.

Some of the Indian athletes who had made donations include wrestler Bajrang Punia, who donated his six month’s salary to Haryana’s COVID-19 relief fund; former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir with Rs 50 lakh donations. The fund is for the purchase of equipment to treat coronavirus patients in Delhi government hospitals.

 
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed