Fiji FA plays COVID-19 well
FIJI Football Association president Rajesh Patel believes the parent body has handled the COVID-19 pandemic situation well.
The Fiji FA adhered to the strict COVID-19 protocols and safe sport practises once the sporting organisations were given the all clear for resumption of competitions last year following the first wave with 50 per cent capacity at all of its events.
Patel revealed that none of their staff members had their wages reduced.
“We are still paying them as part of our social responsibility because it is their livelihood,” he said.
“We have handled the COVID-19 pandemic well. When talking about football, we have strict management thanks to the finance committee.
“For our staff we haven’t cut their wages. We are still paying them as part of our corporate responsibility following protocols from FIFA. Their lively-hood depends on football and we have to make sure that we also look after them.”
The Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) ,which largely funds the salary of head coaches of the various sports, reduced the allocations last year following the first wave of the pandemic, diverting about $1.6 million towards the government’s supplementary budget to help fight the virus.
Fiji football head coach Flemming Serritslev received his work permit in March last year after officially signing the contract two months earlier.
While the actual salary has been kept confidential, it is believed to be a six figure sum.
“The national coach’s salary has been reduced by the FNSC but we are still paying part of our agreement,” Patel said.
“We have made a promise that we will be increasing it in a certain time and we are maintaining what we have agreed with him.”