Drogba offers hospital as Ronaldo and Portugal teammates give amateur clubs financial boost

Chelsea's Didier Drogba celebrates after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England October 26, 2014. [REUTERS/Phil Noble]

As of 2:45 pm, Monday, April 13, 2020, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had recorded well over 1.5 million infections, with www.worldometers.info reporting a 1,865,015 recorded cases, 115,138 deaths and 433,915 recoveries globally.

In the United States of America alone, Covid-19 had claimed more than 22,000 lives, with over half a million confirmed cases.

In Kenya, there were 197 reported cases and a total of eight deaths.

Health workers worldwide have been working day and night in their various disciplines to help ensure the virus is either contained, lives are saved and a method of treatment is found.

In the word of sport, significant sports personalities have joined the fight against Covid-19 either by offering huge cash donations, opening facilities or showing support through social media.

Football’s biggest stars, including former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Juventus and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo have found methods of contributing to community.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and his Seleção teammates have reportedly donated have of the bonus for Euro 2020 qualification to help small football clubs in Portugal stay afloat, according to AFP.

Football Soccer - Portugal v France - EURO 2016 - Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - 10/7/16 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the trophy after winning Euro 2016 [REUTERS/Carl Recine/File Photo]

On Monday, April 13, Portugal’s Football Federation revealed the money would be directed towards another fund, which is projected to reach up to 5.1 million dollars (Sh540 million) to help clubs survive during this virus-stricken period.

The Portuguese league was declared null and void last week, with no champions declared, promotions announced or relegations effected.

"It’s fundamental that the championships end because it would allow some sort of normality to be restored and we could prepare for next season knowing who has qualified for international competitions, who the champions are and who is relegated," Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese league said.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has also joined the coronavirus fight by offering his hospital in Ivory Coast and has proposed the use of the Laurent Pokou hospital in Abidjan.

Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba (R) is replaced by Ivory Coast's Ismael Diomande during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Greece at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza June 24, 2014. [REUTERS/Mike Blake]

Drogba made 105 appearances for Cote D’Ivoire and scored 65 goals.  

"We thank Drogba for this gift considered as an act of patriotism," said Vincent Toh Bi, the city's regional council head.

In the Ivory Coast, there have been a total of four deaths and 533 reported cases.