The effects of the COVID-19 continue to affect every sector of the economy including the football industry. This has adversely affected all the stakeholders of football including the member associations of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA). As a way of mitigating the financial effects of this pandemic, the EFA has E2, 275, 000.00 (Two Million Two Hundred and Seventy-Five Emalangeni), to its member associations. This was disclosed by the General Secretary (GS) in a press conference that was held at Sigwaca House on Tuesday afternoon.
“The Executive Committee, as has earlier asserted, whilst waiting for the mooted FIFA’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, having analysed its financial capacities in careful consideration of its continuance to assure the survival of the association and inherent pertinent football business prosperity, has decided to allocate an amount equivalent to E2, 275, 000.00, to its member associations to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 threat” said the GS of the EFA Mr. Frederick Mngomezulu. The member associations are the Hhohho Regional Football Association, Lubombo Regional Football Association, Manzini Regional Football Association, Shiselweni Regional Football association, Premier League of Eswatini, Women Football association, Eswatini Coaches Association and Eswatini Referees Association. The Regional Football Associations will each get E300 000.00, Premier League will get E700 000.00, Women Football Association, Eswatini Coaches Association and Eswatini Referees Association will each get E125 000.00.
The details on the utilization and accountability of these funds will be communicated to the member associations. “Details on the utilization and accountability of the allocated funds will be advanced to respective members” Mngomezulu said. It is expected that the members will receive this money before the end of this week. The GS also highlighted that the football association haven’t yet received the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Fund. “The definite relief fund, for which the subject of the relief fund was borne, has not yet been determined by FIFA, as FIFA task teams are currently, finalizing the impact assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic across the 211 Member Association of FIFA and their germane financial governance institutional processes.