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Sifup and Chilean players help earthquake victims
Thursday 04 March
Chile slowly tries to pick up the pieces after last Saturday’s devastating earthquake, that caused more than 700 deaths and created an enormous havoc in the South American country. Players’ association Sifup and the professional footballers are trying to help the victims.
Sifup called up the players of clubs in the nation’s top division, La Primera A. The union wanted the players to help their colleagues in the area of the disaster. Eleven teams confirmed to cooperate and to deliver food and supplies for a truck, which Sifup intends to drive to the most affected regions on Thursday, 4 March.
The union advised each participating club to deliver one specific product, in order to aid in the most effective way possible. For instance, Universidad Católica supplied milk, Colo Colo water, Palestino diapers, Audax Italiano noodles, Unión Española rice and noodles, Universidad de Chile coffee and tea, and Unión San Felipe brought soap. Deportes La Serena, Everton, O Higgins, Santiago Wanderers and Cobreloa also supported the action.
There were more footballers who helped. Former national team captain Iván Zamorano contributed by providing a ton of flour. And former player Luis Alberto Ramos borrowed his truck to deliver the goods. Carlos Soto, president of Sifup, and former player Miguel Vargas will drive the truck.
On Wednesday clubs brought their goods to Sifup. César Henriquez handed over numerous bags with diapers on behalf of Palestino. ‘Thank God, nothing happened to me and my family’, said the midfielder. ‘But I’ve got to do something for the victims of the earthquake. We must help the people who need it most. Each clubs has got to help.’
Two players of Audax Italiano, Carlos Garrido and Mauro Olivi, came by to bring noodles and pasta. ‘For everyone this is a traumatic experience’, reacted Garrido. ‘We must help, in order to let everybody know that the Chileans are strong and that we can save ourselves from this tragedy.’
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