KARACHI: In the second phase of relief work for struggling persons from the sports fraternity amid extended lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic, Karachi Sports Forum (KSF) has distributed ration bags among 650 families as the holy month of Ramazan begins from Saturday.

The Ramazan package bags have been handed over to 26 different sports associations at the venue of Olympian Islahuddin-Dr Shah Hockey Academy for 300 families.

On the occasion, Islahuddin said that KSF will now prepare for the third phase of relief work and would be preparing Eid gifts for the struggling sportspersons and ground staff. The gifts will be distributed during the last ten days.

He added that after Eid, KSF will reach out to needy sportspersons from interior Sindh and ration bags will be handed over to officials of sports association in Hyderabad as they are better aware of condition of people there.

KSF chairman Asif Azeem said that so far the forum has reached out to 650 families in its two phases of operation by keeping their identity hidden so that their self-esteem is not hurt. He added that certain SOPs should be made for organizing sports events in a clean and healthy manner for sportspersons as well as fans when the action once again begins after the coronavirus pandemic ends.

Meanwhile, KSF is also reaching out to unemployed sportspersons and groundstaff and giving them relief goods. Islah further said that KSF was strictly following the rule that it will keep the dignity of the needy sportspersons intact by not bringing them to the fore.

KSF chief organizer Syed Wasim Hashmi said that the organisation will now increase its span of relief work outside Karachi as well with the support of affluent persons.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2020