International rugby league community rallying to help Congo players and staff

The international rugby league community is rallying to support players and officials in Congo impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rugby League European Federation has established a GoFundMe page to help the Congo Rugby League purchase face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser.

Rugby League was officially recognised as a sport by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo last June and there are more than 300 registered players in the African nation.

The players are based in the South Kivu area of Congo, which recently suffered heavy flooding while the country was in lockdown due to COVID-19.

With many players left without an income and little government support available, the RLEF is appealing to the global rugby league community for help.

"This is an emergency request. One hundred per cent of these funds will go towards purchasing the facial masks, gloves and hand sanitiser," RLEF Middle East and Africa regional director Remond Safi said.