World Archery and The Foundation for Global Sports Development launch COVID-19 fund for international athletes

The Foundation for Global Sports Development and World Archery have partnered to offer a 150,000 USD fund for international athletes who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This money will be distributed as one-time grants of up to 7500 USD.

Any archer over 18 years of age who competed at the Hyundai World Archery Championships, World Archery Para Championships or a stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in 2018 or 2019 can apply.

Applicants must show that they will earn less than expected in 2020 from sources that include (but are not limited to) government or institutional funding, employment, sponsorship and competition winnings.

A proposal for how the grant will be spent, if the application is successful, is also required.

Those who are in financial hardship and have exhausted other options for support will be prioritised. The names of the archers who receive a grant will be published on the World Archery website.

Interested athletes can submit an application via the online form before midnight CET on 31 May 2020.

This initiative is fully financed by The Foundation for Global Sports Development; the money has been made available solely for use in the COVID-19 fund.

Foundation for Global Sports Development chair of the board Steven Ungerleider said: “Many athletes work extra jobs to support their archery dreams, and we hope this scholarship can offset any income loss and empower the archers to compete when the COVID-19 crisis ends.”

World Archery athletes’ committee chair Naomi Folkard said: “Our lives and plans as archers have been upturned by the pandemic. Hopefully, this fund will give some measure of comfort as we look forward to what comes afterwards, particularly for those who do not have other forms of financial support at this time.”