Published 16:05 IST, March 13th 2020
FIFA to collaborate with WHO to raise awareness and fight coronavirus
FIFA President met the Director-General of WHO to discuss the measures that should be taken by sports governing bodies and administrators during coronavirus.
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FIFA President, Gianni Infantino on March 12 met the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva to discuss the measures that should be taken by sports governing bodies and administrators during coronavirus pandemic. Tedros and Gianni also discussed how football can help the WHO response to the deadly disease.
Gianni and Tedros in a joint statement said, “Sports governing bodies and decision-makers should always keep in mind that health comes first. All sports bodies must be ready to follow national guidance, based on thorough risk assessments, to stage safe events or take other required Actions that protect the health of fans, players, coaches and the broader communities”.
WHO and FIFA will also be working in conjunction with other leading figures in world football. The two organisation will also be working to launch a joint awareness-raising campaign and engage in various initiatives to ensure all people receive needed advice to protect and promote their health and that of their community. As per reports, back in 2019, both the organisations also agreed on a four-year collaboration to promote healthy lifestyles through football globally.
.@WHO & @FIFAcom will work with footballers, coaches, confederations, federations, clubs & all other stakeholders to raise awareness on how people can stay safe & support each other to fight #COVID19. Through teamwork & by putting public health first we will beat #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/7AcMDahXEl
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 12, 2020
'Controllable pandemic'
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the coronavirus as a global pandemic after the virus spread to more than 100 countries, resulting in the deaths of more than 4,900 people worldwide. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom further even urged all nations to get very serious over the issue and take all necessary measures to contain the virus from spreading at this rate. Tedros said, that the word 'Pandemic' cannot be used lightly or carelessly due to its strong connotation.
However, Tedros also said that the coronavirus outbreak is a controllable pandemic. According to a statement released by the World Health Organisation, Tedros outlined two main reasons as to why the decision was taken to describe the epidemic as a pandemic. Tedros said that one reason was the speed and scale of transmission and the others was because 'countries are not approaching this threat with the level of political commitment needed to control it'.
16:04 IST, March 13th 2020