Footballers’ acts of charity continue amid Covid-19 pandemic

A picture recently surfaced on Instagram showing Mourinho carrying boxes of spinach and rhubarb, packing them in a car ready to be transported.[COURTESY]

One crucial rule in football is team work. Working together to achieve a common goal for shared prosperity.

In the fight against the coronavirus, footballers have not been left behind. They, too, have been helping in their different capacities to cool down the coronavirus heat.

From footballers to coaches, there have been robust, concerted efforts to combat the deadly virus by donating in charity.

Chelsea football team foundation has already rolled out a mental health awareness campaign to help distraught people during the coronavirus period.

The campaign which starts on the 18th -24th of this month aims at educating the public about emotional wellbeing and resilience during the Covid-19 period.

Chelsea players are also expected to join in the week-long activity. Similarly, they will also be actively involved in sensitizing the masses on the subject.

“The week is an important opportunity for us all to come together and discuss mental health and the kind of society we want as we come out of the coronavirus crisis, “said Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation.

The move, according to Rowland will be aimed at celebrating other acts of kindness during the coronavirus crisis period.

‘’We want to use Mental Health Awareness Week to celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness that are so important to our mental health, particularly at this current time, “added Rowland.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought, together with the pain of illnesses among other political and economic reasons, stress and depression among many people.

As the pandemic sweeps across the globe, people have been induced with fear, concern and worry as to their fate. Many are concerned with what would happen to them, were they infected by the virus.

Job losses have also brought a lot of anxiety among many people. Children, youth and adults, have all suffered the consequences. It gets even worse for people with pre-existing health conditions.

For some footballers, it has not been an easy path to trek. Some of them have even tested positive for the coronavirus.

Some of the soccer players who have been infected by the lethal disease include, Juventus skipper Paulo Dybala, Former Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, just to mention a few.

The mental health week will help in offloading the fears and anxieties among players and other members of the community.

Tottenham Hotspurs manager Jose Mourinho has also continued with his efforts of charity. The special one has continued with the special acts of kindness, delivering special packages of foodstuffs to needy families in the UK.

A picture recently surfaced on Instagram showing Mourinho carrying boxes of spinach and rhubarb, packing them in a car ready to be transported.

The caption read, "@ josemourinho has made the first of his weekly deliveries of fresh produce from the Kitchen Garden at our Training Centre to the food distribution hub at @tottenhamhotspurstadium.

Back at home, footballers have also led the way with acts of kindness, offering a helping hand during the crisis.

Back home

The national team led by the team captain and former Tottenham midfielder, now at Montreal Impact Victor Wanyama, made the gesture to help families living in the slums.

Through the Victor Wanyama Foundation, the 28-year-old captain gave out food, sanitizers and hand wash to residents in Mathare Slums in Partnership with the Red Cross.

"Many thanks to @gina_din @africayoga and @KenyaRedCross edcrosske who today have partnered with Victor Wanyama foundation to donate hygiene packages to the Billian Family Centre in Mathare. Together we will fight coronavirus!#KomeshaCorona #Staysafe #stayhome #COVID19" pic.twitter.com/yUzgsxBaJV — Victor Wanyama Foundation (@VictorWanyamaF) March 27, 2020

“It is our role as footballers to play an active role in ensuring our people are okay during these difficult times. We know that the effects of the virus have had an adverse effect on their daily earnings,” Wanyama explained.

Johannah Omollo, who also plays international soccer, appearing for Belgian club Cercle Brugge went back to his roots; Dandora Slum where he grew up. Through his foundation, he donated foodstuffs to the needy, helping them get through the pandemic.

Kashiwa Reysol striker Michael Olunga also joined the fight against COVID-19 by donating handwash materials and sanitisers among other essentials to several estates in Nairobi including Lucky Summer, BabaDogo, Kasabuni, Kariadudu, Riverside and Glucola.

“It was my pleasure to lend a hand towards preventing the spread of COVID -19 by donating sanitizers and hand washes to small business owners, churches, carwash, children homes and a few households,” said Olunga.

Francis Kahata, who plays for Simba SC (Tanzania), also donated 10,000 liters of water to Mathare slum residents. The slum suffers an acute shortage of clean water, especially now when people are required to wash their hands frequently.

"In the slum, one of the biggest problems is water and if we are to keep sanitation levels high, the most important thing is water. I partnered with one of the youth groups there and we filled up all their tanks. It's a serious virus and we have to all take precaution to avoid the spread. As we do this, we must remember the ones who cannot afford to for it on their own and that's why I saw the importance of coming here to make this donation," said Kahata.