Harare (New Ziana)-The government on Friday unveiled a ZW$20 million relief fund for the sports and arts sectors, as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Acting Youth Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Prof Paul Mavima said the government was aware that reliable sources of income for many had been disrupted due to Covid-19, hence the intervention with a relief fund.

“The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation is pleased to avail the sum of ZW$20 million dollars, courtesy of His Excellency the President, Emmerson Mnangagwa,” he said.

“The Ministry notes that the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought an unexpected break to the flow in the entire ecosystem of Sports and Cultural and Creative Industries in the country. This sudden cessation of programmes and scheduling of events have had a direct sting on the major products of the industries,” he added.

The fund targets athletes, national sports associations, community sport and recreation clubs and academics among others.

For sports, beneficiaries should be registered with an association under the Sports and Recreation Commission Act and the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act, comply with Governing Acts and Statutes of sport and recreation in the country as well as provide proof of effects of Covid-19 on their calendar.

In cultural and creative industries, beneficiaries should prove that they are practising artists who are able to demonstrate continuous practice for the past 2 years, are cultural and creative industry practitioners living and working in Zimbabwe for the past 2 years as well as demonstrate experiencing dire financial emergencies due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I therefore call upon athletes and artists to apply for assistance from this relief fund whose closing date will be 30th of July 2020,” said Prof Mavima.

New Ziana