As coronavirus infections around the world, sports stars have joined government bodies and NGOs to help medical workers through donations. The coronavirus epidemic has wreaked havoc on the sporting calendar, with almost all sporting activities across the globe coming to a complete standstill. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was the latest sporting spectacle to be postponed. While many sports stars have taken to social media to show how they have been coping with the self-isolation period, many others have donated millions of dollars to fight the epidemic. Here is a list of all those who have donated.
Lionel Messi
The Barcelona forward has donated 1 million euros to help Spain's medical system. Spain is the second -most affected country in Europe after Italy.
Roger Federer
Federer on Wednesday donated more than a million dollars to help support his "most vulnerable" Swiss compatriots through the coronavirus crisis. The 20-time Grand Slam champion and his wife donated one million Swiss francs ($1.02 million, 943,000 euros), saying nobody should be left behind as Switzerland battles against the global pandemic. According to official figures reported to the World Health Organization, Switzerland has the ninth-highest number of infections in the world. According to the Swiss health ministry, more than 8,800 people have tested positive for COVID-19, while 86 people had died as of Monday.
Cristiano Ronaldo & agent Jorge Mendes
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes have reportedly donated $1.8 million to hospitals in Portugal. The donation is expected to help staff in San Antonio hospital in Porto and Santa Maria hospital in Lisbon, with medical equipment and beds.
Pep Guardiola
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has also donated 1 million euros to tackle coronavirus. Guardiola's donation will also be put to use in Spain as the country fights to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
Athletes Fund
Over 100 athletes from as much as 20 different sports have donated a signed memorabilia to be auctioned by the 'Athletes for COVID-19 Relief' fund. The benefits from the auction proceeds will go to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy's COVID-19 Response Fund.
NBA
NBA teams have also joined in on the relief efforts. NBA teams Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Kings, 76ers and Spurs have agreed to compensate hourly workers and stadium staff during the NBA season. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors donated one million dollars to a disaster relief fund.
In an effort to assist those impacted by the NBA’s unforeseen suspension in play, the Warriors ownership, players, and coaches have pledged to donate $1 million to a disaster relief fund established by the Warriors Community Foundation. pic.twitter.com/610GkZumjy
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 14, 2020
Shahid Afridi
Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi too is doing hi bit. Afridi through his charity is distributing food supplies, disinfectant soap and other essentials to daily wage workers and groups who need them.
Day 3 of serving the needy: packs containing disinfectant soap, material, food & a sheet on preventative measures to take to avoid the contraction & spread of #CoronaVirus were included, with advice to stay at home. Let’s pull together & serve others too #DonateKaroNa #HopeNotOut pic.twitter.com/etxR2E1YR5
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 24, 2020
Bangladesh Cricket Team
The Bangladesh Cricket team may not be earning even close to what their Indian counterparts earn in a year. But that didn't stop them from contributing half of their monthly salaries to fund the fight against coronavirus in the country. The total amount of all the players combined is approximately $30,000.
Pakistan Cricket Team
Pakistan Cricket team too has pledged Rs 5 million for government emergency fund. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ehsan Mani said that apart from the contribution from the centrally-contracted players, the employees in the board, up to senior manager level will also contribute a one day salary.
