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RELIEF FUND: A Mahindra United player lies injured on the ground at the Cooperage last season | Soon if you see your favourite local goalie perform some acrobatics on the football field, it could well be because he�s insured.
As will be 4,700 players, match officials and referees participating in the Mumbai District Football Association-conducted football matches as the MDFA � for the first time in its history � complies with norms set by the world football governing body.
According to FIFA regulations, it is mandatory for all players and officials to be protected by an insurance cover during every football match played officially, whether international, national or domestic.
And today, the MDFA president Commander Kehar Singh will hand out risk policies for Oriental Insurance to all players of the six divisions
as well as to match referees and to officials.
The MDFA has already paid a premium of Rs 35,000 on each policy, which will allow players injured during the 90-minute game to claim a maximum of Rs 25,000.
�Not all players can afford the medical expenses on being injured. Big teams like Mahindra United can afford to foot the medical bills of the players.
"But for small teams, most of which are cash-strapped, things get extremely difficult. This endeavour will be particularly beneficiary to the struggling clubs,� Singh said yesterday.
Though it has taken an extended period to implement FIFA�s guideline in the domestic circuit, the decision has been well received by the football fraternity of the city.
�It�s in the rule books,� Mahindra manager Henry Menezes, who was recently named in the selection panel for the Indian team, said. He added: �But it�s a move which will benefit players a great deal. They will play more freely.�
Air-India coach Bimal Ghosh seconded Menezes. �It�s great move. Most of the teams cannot afford to foot medial expenses of injured players. But now they have a something to fall back on,� he said. |
